About two years ago, Andy Barker, ATC, senior associate athletic trainer at Louisiana State University, was purchasing a web-based inventory control system for the athletic training department. He recalls, "We were scheduled to get the system, and had to do a ton of preparation--clean the storage room, count everything, etc. A week before we were to get the system, the company called. There was a contract dispute and they couldn't complete our sale and I had done all this work to prepare! To say the least, I was slightly upset."

But as a problem solver, Andy decided to create an inventory management program by himself. "I couldn't do a web-based system," he says, "but thought I could use a stand-alone computer. I had experience with Microsoft Access, researched the equipment and software needed, and built the database. On the back end, LSU's IT department helped shore everything up."

The inventory system was created using Microsoft Access to build the database; bar-coding software; a Symbol PPT 8800 hand-held scanner; SprintDB Pro to create the forms for the scanner; and Microsoft ActiveSync to update the database. "The scanner cost about $1,000.00, and that was the major expense," Andy says. "Most computers have some version of Microsoft Access, and the other software cost under $200.00, total."

When the system was in place, barcode labels were created and placed on the shelves where products were located--not on the items themselves. "We didn't want to put a label on every individual bottle and box," Andy explains. "Next, we scanned each barcode, then entered the quantity on hand. Then we were ready to go!"

The department started using the system in the fall of 2007. It tracks what goes in and out of the storage room; who checks items in and out; provides alerts when quantities are getting low; and calculates the annual usage of each item.

It's a simple process to check out a needed item using the system:
1.    Scan the item's barcode
2.    Product name, quantity, and packaging details are displayed
3.    Athletic trainer selects name from dropdown list
4.    Enter quantity needed

"We're more efficient now," Andy notes. "I run a query twice a week to see what we're low on, and reorder in plenty of time.  Our annual bids are based on actual usage, rather than automatically ordering the same quantities year after year. So there's less waste."

So is Andy one of those super-organized guys? "If you look at my desk, it's pretty messy, although I know where everything is," he admits. "But I like looking at a problem and finding the most efficient way to solve it. With the inventory management program, I was looking for a way to make my job easier and save time. It's great when I can find a way to spend more time with athletes. But administrative tasks have to get done one way or another. I figure I might as well make it as easy as possible."

Very few athletic trainers associated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs said that they were following best practice standards for managing asthma among their athletes, according to a new study sponsored by Ohio State's Medical Center.

For athletes with asthma, the dangers of the condition can be as mild as impacting athletic performance or so severe to be incapacitating, or deadly. The lead report is published in the April 2009 issue of the American College of Sports Medicine's journal, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

"We wanted to see how well asthma is being managed in athletes competing at the NCAA level," says Dr. Jonathan Parsons, a pulmonologist and associate director of Ohio State University Medical Center's Asthma Center. "Evidence has shown that outcomes are better when an athlete has an asthma attack and the proper help is available.  Since it's impossible to predict an asthma attack, we need to be prepared for when it happens," adds Parsons, who also is lead author of the study.

Pulmonary and sports medicine researchers at Ohio State's Medical Center sent electronic surveys, with questions related to the diagnosis and management of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), to 3,200 athletic trainers in NCAA sports medicine programs. More than one-fifth of the 541 responses indicated that they had an asthma management protocol at their institution. Slightly more reported having a pulmonologist on staff.

Approximately 17 percent reported screening athletes for EIB, 39 percent indicated a rescue inhaler does not have to be available at all practices and 41 percent say an inhaler does not have to be present at all games.

The results suggest an overwhelming majority of NCAA sports medicine programs are not adhering to national asthma guidelines, established by the National Institutes of Health, which emphasize education, management protocols and medical professional involvement for their athletes with asthma.

"Research data supports testing athletes for asthma when it's suspected, having inhalers immediately on-hand and asthma specialists as part of their care," says Parsons.

Exercise-induced asthma occurs when airflow to the lungs is reduced due to narrowing and closing of the airways in association with exercise. This airway obstruction usually occurs just after exercise and is much more common in college athletes than in the general population. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

According to Parsons, athletes often ignore symptoms of EIB, perceiving the condition as an indication of poor performance or simply being out of shape.
Exercise-induced asthma occurs in approximately 80 to 90 percent of individuals with known asthma. Ten percent of the general population has an unrecognized history of chronic asthma and only experiences symptoms of asthma during exercise.

Funding from the National Center for Research Resources supported the OSU research.

More than 20 years ago, a Japanese man named Takashi Hokazono became familiar with Cramer Products, and was so impressed that he wanted to find a way to bring Cramer to Japan. Cramer president Tom Rogge and Vice President Jack Patterson were impressed with Mr. Hokazono and his passion for their company, and a business deal was struck to create Cramer Japan Inc., with Mr. Hokazono as CEO. Since being established in 1991 in Kumagaya, Saitama, the staff of Cramer Japan has worked tirelessly to bring the products and dedication of Cramer to Athletic Trainers and athletes in Japan.

Cramer Japan Inc. employs more than 100 people in various departments, including sales, customer service and production planning and development. The company has a sports medicine division that offers training in performance and injury prevention, and a sports clinic for injured athletes, which fuses western and eastern medicine.

Cramer Japan's Athletic Training department conducts sports medicine seminars and domestic and international workshops. Yes, it's true-the legendary Cramer workshops are now part of the Cramer Japan tradition as well. "First we followed the Cramer Athletic Training Workshop curriculum, and then we began developing and adjusting our workshop to better fit with sports and athletic training in Japan," says Mr. Hokazono. They also co-hosted the Annual SAQ Symposiums with the Nippon Institute of Speed, Agility and Quickness.

"We are very unique in developing a market where athletes look for the improvement of their performance through our products and educational services," says Mr. Hokazono.

The majority of products Cramer sells in the United States are sold in Japan as well, although cultural differences and legal restrictions keep some items off the market there. Some of the most popular Cramer products sold in Japan are Underwrap, Flexi-Cold and Cramer 1000 Athletic Trainer's Tape. Cramer Japan has developed a unique, flexible athletic tape called DeniBan that has "incredible versatility, combining the best of white sports tape and elastic tape." It provides full support and can be used for taping traditionally difficult joints such as the arch, MP joint, AC joint and elbow. They also sell the original Circulation Suit¿a functional athletic suit (what might be called a track suit in the United States), popular among many athletes.

Although Cramer Japan is a rather young company, it is a well-known name in Japan, Mr. Hokazono says. "Cramer Japan is known as a company that produces and sells a variety of sports-related products as well as one that focuses on educational projects to promote true knowledge and skills in sports-related fields including sports injury prevention, rehabilitation and training to improve athletic performance."
 
When it comes down to it, athletic trainers love what they do¿no matter where they are. "I strongly believe that the accumulation of our steady but serious work will contribute to the continual progress in the environment surrounding the Japanese sports field," says Mr. Hokazono. "This is the most joyful thing for me. After all, I just want to make everybody happy through sports."
 

This summer, The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., will host its annual sports medicine workshop for high school students for the 25th time. Steve Cole, the college's former director of sports medicine and current associate athletic director, started it all by inviting Cramer to hold one of their now-legendary student workshops on the W&M campus. Cramer said yes-for 16 consecutive years! Since 2001, the event has been the responsibility of W&M athletic trainers Renée Cork, ATC and Andy Carter, ATC. The two, along with the W&M athletic training staff, are gearing up for their 9th annual Sports Medicine Workshop, July 11-14. Steve Cole still teaches and the workshop is still sponsored by Cramer Products.
 
Andy's involvement in the summer workshop is very special, both personally and professionally. "As a freshman at Magna Vista High School in Ridgeway, Va., I was the statistician for the football team," he explains. "I got to know a senior who had attended a Cramer workshop and was the team's athletic trainer. I started helping him and really enjoyed it. He was graduating, so the school asked me to attend the Cramer basic workshop at William and Mary that summer. I did, and loved it, and returned the next summer for the advanced workshop. By my senior year, I decided to attend William and Mary and study athletic training." And he did!

After graduating from W&M, Andy earned a master's degree from Illinois State University. "I then got a job offer from W&M," Andy says, "and my first day there was July 5, 2000. The Cramer student workshop was one week later, and I was thrilled to participate as an instructor." Soon after that, Cramer made a business decision to no longer offer student workshops. But the W&M staff continued the wonderful tradition on their campus.

"We took Cramer's curriculum model and modified it," says Andy, "and were very pleased when Cramer became our workshop sponsor by providing the supplies and additional financial support."

About 80 students from across the country attend each year, although last year the number jumped to 96. "We offer two tracks--basic and advanced," explains Andy. "Our program emphasizes emergency life saving skills, and participants get certified to use automated external defibrillators and to administer CPR. We¿ve also incorporated a Red Cross sports safety-training program that covers topics including heat-related illness and asthma. We also have college representatives speak about their athletic training programs, and outstanding presentations and instructors."

Cramer Products is delighted to be a part of the W&M workshop. "We couldn't do this workshop every summer without Cramer's donation of supplies and funding," Andy says. For more information about the student workshop click here or call (757) 221-3407
 

Effective, conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis typically includes stretching and icing exercises, taking an anti-inflammatory, and the use of orthotics and a night splint. When athletes comply, studies show 85-92 percent of then will get better.  But compliance often drops off considerably when the night splint is bulky and uncomfortable.

That's why Active Ankle Systems developed the Dorsal Night Splint. It effectively treats and relieves the painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis.  Because the DNS is designed to hold the foot in a neutral position, it prevents contracture, supports the arch, and allows for proper healing.  Athletes wear it for longer periods of time because it's comfortable, and easy to walk in and take on and off. Increased compliance means they'll be back to performing at their best as quickly as possible.

The DNS has a smaller anterior approach, featuring a unique dorsal clamshell that wraps around the foot. The clamshell exposes the patient's toes, heel and posterior leg to the bed sheets so they feel more natural while falling asleep. The padding on the DNS is thick and comfortable, but also lightweight and cool. Once the clamshell is adjusted, the splint can be put on and taken off without removing the strap¿just like a slipper. The triple-stitched strap is very durable and resists stretching.

An anti-slip pad allows athletes to walk easily while wearing the DNS. The splint comes in two sizes, and can be worn bilaterally, eliminating the need for excess inventory.

Mike Goforth, ATC, head athletic trainer and assistant athletic director
at Virginia Tech, is a DNS fan. "When athletes suffer from plantar fasciitis, the toughest problem we have is getting compliance with wearing a night splint. We can control their compliance during the day, but we can¿t control what they do at night, and that is such an important part of the treatment for this condition."

"Most athletes just won't use the bulky nighttime splints that are big and uncomfortable," Mike continues. "The Dorsal Night Splint Is great because its not intrusive. It can be worn comfortably under the covers--and the more comfort, the more compliance. We let the athletes keep the splint and encourage them to use it when the plantar fasciitis flares up again. It's a condition that they'll carry with them throughout their athletic career, and using the Dorsal Night Splint will help get them through the flare-ups quickly."

The DNS can be used effectively in other ways, too. According to Jack Marucci, MA, ATC, Director of Athletic Training at LSU, "While recovering from a significant ankle injury or surgery, many athletes tend to drop their foot and lose flexibility if the Achilles tendon isn't stretched. The Dorsal Night Splint helps with this and with nighttime use as well. Athletes get a better night's sleep because it's much more comfortable."

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