Symposium Course Objectives

 

Friday, June 13, 2025

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cartilage Lesions of the Knee
Eric Fester, MD

Objectives:

  • Define knee cartilage lesions.
  • Describe the symptoms associated with cartilage lesions of the knee.
  • Describe the evaluation of cartilage lesions of the knee.
  • Describe the treatment and outcomes of cartilage lesions of the knee.

Practicing What You Preach – Cultivating Your Best Self: Ensuring your own mental and emotional wellbeing 
Allison Newlin, MS, LPCC-S

Objectives:

  • Learn how to manage and respond to emotions.
  • Learn how access (return and remain) in the present moment.
  • Learn how to use self-compassion to better relate to yourself.
  • Learn how to ensure you are getting quality sleep function that supports emotional and physical health.

Considerations for Training the Sprint Athlete 
Alec Heffner, AT, CSCS, TSAC-F and Dekan Ekpo

Objectives: 

  • Participants will be able to identify the key phases of a sprint.
  • Participants will be able to distinguish which muscle groups are contributing to the different phases of the sprint.
  • Participants will be able to describe the fundamental training objectives goals of sprint performance enhancement and injury prevention.
  • Participants will be able to implement training techniques learned during the lecture when working with sprinters in their practice.
  • Participants will be able to design a periodized program for sprint performance and rehabilitation.

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Stroke and the Athlete along with a Case Study: Acute CVA in 17 Y.O. Male Athlete
Joe Downey, MS, AT, NASM-PES & Chris Colatruglio, PT, DPT, CBIS, CSRS

Objectives:

  • Understand the causes of stroke in the younger population.
  • Identify what area of the brain has been affected by a stroke and know the deficits that are common to that area.
  • Describe the role that physical, occupational, and speech therapists play in stroke rehabilitation.

Communication is the Key
Kurt Wilson, MA, CSCS, ATC

Objectives:

  • Interdisciplinary Communication: Each professional has a unique role, but shared understanding ensures cohesive care. Physicians diagnose, PTs and ATs implement rehab and recovery, while parents and athletes need clear guidance.
  • Tailoring Your Message: Knowing your audience matters. A parent may need simplified explanations, while a physician may prefer clinical details. Adjust terminology and tone accordingly.
  • Cultural & Demographic Awareness: Understanding a person's background, language proficiency, and beliefs can prevent misunderstandings and foster trust.
  • Clarity & Conciseness: Avoid medical jargon when speaking with non-professionals. Be direct, ensuring all parties understand the plan of action.
  • Conflict Resolution & Active Listening: Miscommunication can lead to frustration. Listening attentively, acknowledging concerns, and addressing them professionally can prevent issues.

What's Sporty about Hip and Knee Replacement
Andrew Schneider, MD

Objectives:

  • Discuss the implant material advances in hip and knee replacement surgery that have enabled patients to have higher post-op activity levels and survivorship.
  • Discuss material advances in polyethylene manufacturing and total knee press-fit designs that have enabled safer surgery in younger patients with good midterm survivorship.
  • Discuss prehab strategies.

Labral Tear and Instabilities
Thomas Zink, MD

IASTM: Is there Evidence for Scraping or is it all sCRAP?
Lindsay Becker, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

Objectives:

  • Review the current science behind the myofascial system and myofascial dysfunction.
  • Understand the anatomy of different IASTM instruments and IASTM treatment considerations.
  • Recognize common IASTM treatment variables and techniques.
  • Demonstrate preferred IASTM treatment strokes and the use of different instruments for specific body regions.

Human Cadaver Anatomy Overview for the Sports Performance Practitioner
Nick Hess, PT, DPT, CSCS, MS

Objectives:

Summarize neck and upper extremity human gross anatomy.

  • Identify neuromuscular structures of the neck and upper extremity.
  • Discuss clinical scenarios relating to human gross anatomy.
  • Palpate structures on human cadavers to explore tissue integrity.

Understanding the Biology of Pain and Empowering Athletes to Take Action: It Takes Two to Tango
Evan French, PT, DPT

Objectives:

  • Discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the body’s pain system.
  • Understand the key differences between acute, subacute, and persistent pain.
  • Review key changes that undermine the genesis of persistent pain.
  • Identify patients that may benefit from pain neuroscience education intervention.
  • Discuss treatment strategies for individuals with persistent pain based on up-to-date clinical reasoning.
  • Discuss proper documentation and billing for pain neuroscience education.

Gut Health on Performance and Recovery
Dawn Weatherwax, RD, LD, ATC, CSCS

Objectives:

  • Understand how many athletes do not consume enough fuel and the quality of their food choices impact gut integrity.
  • Discuss the prevalence of food allergies, intolerances and perceived adverse food reactions.
  • Review how nutritional imbalances and gut permeability impact sports injuries, repair processing speeds and reflexes.
  • Explore how metabolic stress on the gut-immune-brain axis is impacted by exercise intensity.
  • Uncover which tests and applicable nutrition techniques resist exposure to compromising gut health in athletes and active individuals.

Hand Therapy’s Role in the UE Sports Rehab
Christine Partin, OTR/L, CHT & Rachel Shon, MOT, OTR/L

Objectives:

  • Participants will identify common upper extremity injuries,
  • Participants will identify proper orthosis/bracing for upper extremity injuries.
  • Participants will identify precautions for both conservative and operative treatments.
  • Participants will identify when/if to refer to physician and/or hand therapist.

Understanding 3D Movement Analysis Research and Clinical Implications
Kevin Sheehan, PT, DPT, OCS

Objectives:

  • Describe the fundamental principles of 3D movement analysis and its relevance to research and clinical practice in the area of sports physical therapy.
  • Understand the process of preparing a subject for 3D movement analysis, including equipment setup and participant readiness.
  • Observe data collection process using 3D motion analysis technology, gaining an understanding of how accurate and reliable measurements are obtained.
  • Recognize basic concepts of data analysis related to 3D movement analysis to enhance ability to interpret biomechanics research and apply in the clinical setting.
  • Connect the insights gained from 3D movement analysis to clinical practice, discussing how these findings could inform treatment plans for athletes.
  • Discuss the breadth of 3D movement analysis techniques available, including the strengths and limitations of these in research and clinical environments.

Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction – Current Trends in Assessment and Management
Stephen Buechel-Rieger, BM, MA, CCC-SLP

Objectives:

  • Be able to describe ILO.
  • Identify 4 methods for assessing ILO.
  • Interpretation of pulmonary function testing.
  • Learn how to treat ILO in a variety of settings.