High School Athletic Strength & Conditioning Programs with ATI Physical Therapy
High school sports are an annual tradition. The teams are beacons of pride in communities across the country. And to the athletes, it’s often much more than just a “game.” Sports bring people together, which, in a time of the COVID-19 virus, has become completely redefined. New norms include social distancing, protective face coverings and a number of other safety measures.
At the beginning of last year, no one could have predicted the challenges that high schools and athletic departments would face. Since then, mandates and rules have varied not just by state, but also at the county and district levels, and the challenges have been unique for each school.
Even among the uncertainty, ATI continues to be here for our athletes, supporting their physical health needs both on and off the field. Our therapists and athletic trainers have the knowledge and expertise to help guide athletes and coaches during this unique time.
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High School Sports During COVID-19: Where We Stand
High school sports organizations continue to update plans for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic/athletic year. While some states chose to proceed with their traditional fall sports schedule last year, others postponed fall and winter sports seasons, such as basketball and football, until 2021.
The rescheduling of certain sports seasons was led in part by a guidance document issued by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in May 2020. In the document, the NFHS outlined the potential infection risk by sport and designated each sport as a high-, moderate- or low-risk sport.
In February 2021, the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) of the NFHS eliminated this tiered approach. Instead, the SMAC advised that state associations consider several factors when assessing the potential for COVID-19 transmission in high school sports.
Now, in March 2021, high schools are kicking off both previously postponed seasons and regularly scheduled spring sports with these guidelines in mind. Some state-specific safety protocols continue, such as reduced spectator capacity, abbreviated seasons and regular COVID-19 testing for participating athletes.
Prepare for a Safe Return to Sports with Athletic Training and Physical Therapy
Many high school athletes across the country are returning to sports, a moment they have been awaiting for months. Every game counts, especially for those with shortened seasons, which means it is all the more important for athletes to remain game-ready and injury-free. That’s where our team comes in.
ATI’s athletic trainers and physical therapists have the expertise to work with athletes at all levels of skill and competition and develop customized training programs to help them achieve their goals. As one of the largest employers of certified athletic trainers in the country, here’s a look at some of the services offered by our team:
- Onsite sports physical therapy services at practices, games and events
- Education for coaches, physicians, parents and athletes
- Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
- Immediate and emergency care
- Treatment and rehabilitation
- Strength and conditioning program development
- Therapeutic massage
All high school athletes can and should be supported by physical therapy treatment, especially after what has likely been a longer-than-usual period of inactivity during the coronavirus. Learn more at our specialized services on our Sports Medicine webpage.
Preventative Physical Therapy Keeps Athletes Game-Ready
Assisting athletes in getting back on track with their physical fitness is one important, and perhaps lesser known, use case for therapy. Often, we think of therapy as being primarily needed for the treatment of injuries sustained. But proactive and preventative therapy treatment is just as critical.
Personalized Strength and Conditioning Programs
Strength and conditioning programs are another therapy use case. Our team can develop personalized treatment for high school athletes that is focused on sport-specific function in order to maximize their performance and reduce the risk of injury.
Jason Pequette, ATI’s Sr Sports Medicine Director, shared how he views ATI’s synergistic approach to working with athletes. “Our athletic trainers are highly skilled in sports medicine, specifically in areas like exercise physiology, nutrition and rehabilitation. There is a wide array of services they can provide. When you combine the two diversities of athletic training and physical therapy, athletes have a well-rounded treatment experience; not only do you get sport-specific training, but you also get manual therapy. And that’s what we aim to provide at ATI.”
Treat Pain, Discomfort and Injuries Immediately
Of course, if an athlete is experiencing any type of pain or feeling of discomfort, that is reason enough to seek therapy treatment as quickly as possible. One of the easiest ways to seek treatment is through our free consultation. With clinics in 25 states and over 850 locations, we likely have a location near you.
A complimentary screening lasts 15-20 minutes and includes a thorough assessment of the injury or pain the athlete is presenting with. A determination will be made as to whether therapy treatment is necessary.
In states with direct access to physical therapy, athletes in need of treatment can begin their sessions immediately without having to first get a referral or prescription. We recommend contacting your insurance provider or your local ATI clinic to check if you have direct access to PT.
Online Physical Therapy: A Socially-Distant Alternative
For families and high school athletes who feel more comfortable receiving treatment virtually or face schedule conflicts, we offer online PT through our CONNECT service. CONNECT is a great way for athletes to continue receiving necessary treatment and progressing toward their goals.
Each session is personalized to athletes’ needs and they’ll receive dedicated one-to-one guidance from one of our licensed therapists. One additional benefit is that therapists can provide athletes with individualized home exercise programs to complete on their own time. This exercise program is made available and accessible right within the CONNECT platform.
Stay Safe & Ready to Play After Offseason
Just as the rest of the country has rapidly changed and adjusted due to the coronavirus, so too have the sports medicine world and athletics. ATI’s athletic trainers fall in line with individual schools’ policies, so our team must be adaptable and remain in compliance with the latest safety precautions.
One important precaution is social distancing — an interesting one to navigate when you consider that athletic trainers must be in close contact with athletes when hands-on care is needed. We’re taking the necessary precautions and following the latest Centers for Disease Control guidelines to ensure the safety of our clinics. Despite the changes we have experienced, one thing remains the same: our dedication to keeping athletes safe and healthy.
ATI’s athletic trainers work with athletes of all levels of competition to prevent, evaluate and treat sports injuries through sports physical therapy. If you or a high school athlete in your family has been dealing with a strain, sprain, ache or pain, don’t wait any longer to schedule a free consult at an ATI clinic near you. Our mission is to keep athletes game-ready and injury-free for their current season and all future seasons.
Jason Pequette is Sr Director of Sports Medicine at ATI Physical Therapy and has been with the company for over 15 years. Having earned his Master of Science in athletic training, Jason has vast knowledge and expertise around athletes’ physical health needs, and the ways in which they can benefit from physical therapy and athletic training programs.
Katie Varnado is Director of Sports Medicine at ATI Physical Therapy and has been with the company for over eight years. As a board certified and accredited athletic trainer, Katie has first-hand experience working with athletes and developing training/sports medicine programs.