Evidence-Based Practice in Athletic Training provides essential information on the fundamentals of evidence-based practice (EBP) for students who are working toward certification in athletic training and for athletic trainers who wish to stay up to date on best practices in the field.

Exercise science practitioners have access to mountains of research findings, expert opinions, novel techniques, and program plans via blogs, fitness magazines, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed journals. To facilitate effective practice, practitioners must sift through this information and retain only the best evidence to form a sound base of knowledge. Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science: The Six-Step Approach equips readers with the basic skills and competencies for discerning the value of scientific research. Using a methodical approach, students and professionals will learn to identify appropriate evidence to support novel interventions and avoid counterproductive or dangerous information to eliminate ineffective exercise options. The authors, well-known advocates in the study and application of evidence-based practice in the field of exercise science, take the five-step method of evidence-based practice that has been established in medicine, adapt it specifically for exercise science, and expand it to embrace individuality in exercise training. The content is accessible for students in a variety of courses in exercise science curricula; those seeking certification through professional organizations; and practitioners in the fields of exercise, nutrition, sports medicine, and sport science. This text is an instruction manual in understanding and applying evidence-based practice. The process is divided into six steps that begin with asking a question and then finding, evaluating, implementing, confirming, and re-evaluating the evidence. Readers of Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science will explore these aspects: • The philosophy of science and design of scientific studies • The use of search tools like PubMed and Google Scholar and how to rank or define the strength of the evidence • Practical suggestions for implementing evidence-based practice in the field to better advise and serve athletes, clients, and patients • Case studies that demonstrate realistic scenarios of how the evidence-based process may be used in a variety of sport and exercise settings Each chapter opens with chapter objectives that provide a road map for learning, and a chapter conclusion summarizes main points and ensures understanding. The case studies cover topics including exercise prescription; exercise for special populations; nutrition and supplementation; and exercise devices, equipment, and apparel. Each case presents a realistic scenario that an exercise practitioner may experience, presents background information, formulates a question for investigation, describes a search of the literature, discusses the findings, and provides a recommendation for practice based on the best current evidence. Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science is grouped into four sections that assist readers in gaining a better understanding of the evidence-based practice paradigm, learning the step-by-step method, and acquiring experience in the evidence-based approach by working through practical examples using real-world scenarios. Part I offers foundational knowledge of evidence-based practice in exercise sciences. Part II introduces the six-step method of evidence-based practice with chapters that explore each step of the process in depth. Part III presents 16 case studies grouped into chapters by general topics. Part IV concludes the text with chapters on disseminating and sharing knowledge and the future of evidence-based practice in exercise science. By understanding the concepts and process of evidence-based practice, current and future sport, exercise, and health professionals will prescribe individualized programs and treatments that improve athletic performance and lead individuals toward better health. Embracing evidence-based practice will ultimately advance the field and produce optimal outcomes for clients, patients, and athletes.

Athletic Training and Therapy: Foundations of Behavior and Practice builds upon an undergraduate understanding of health and exercise sciences to instill an evidence-based, graduate-level knowledge of best practices in athletic training and health care. This text integrates essential competencies outlined by the AT Strategic Alliance, a collaboration of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Board of Certification (BOC), and Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Athletic Training and Therapy highlights contemporary concepts not often found in other introductory texts, such as cultural literacy, interprofessional practice, preventative health care, administrative management, special populations, and epidemiology. Students gain a complete picture of their role as an athletic trainer as they explore these topics and progress through the text. Part I covers foundational clinical competencies that will guide students in their future professional practice. Part II features holistic wellness concepts and proactive strategies to prevent illness and injury. Part III presents emergency interventions for acute injury and immediate care. Part IV offers information on evaluating illness and injury. Part V addresses therapeutic and medical interventions, including therapeutic exercises, pharmacology, and casting procedures. The full-color text engages students and fosters comprehension with learning aids: Evidence-Based Athletic Training sidebars that highlight a position statement, systematic literature review, or high-level randomized control trials Foundational Skills sidebars that provide step-by-step instructions for common skills required of entry-level athletic trainers Chapter summaries of key concepts Learning objectives to help students focus their studies during their graduate education and during preparation for the BOC examination Related digital content delivered through HKPropel: videos of select skills and techniques, gradable chapter quizzes, case studies with critical thinking questions for each chapter, and checklists that can be used to grade students on their ability to accurately perform foundational skills Athletic Training and Therapy offers advanced athletic training students an engaging presentation of the clinical skills they will need as a successful member of the interprofessional health care team. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.

What is the evidence? Why do you need it? How do you evaluate it? How do you use it to make decisions? Put the evidence to work for your patients. Master the knowledge and clinical decision-making skills you need to provide the very best care for your clients…based on the evidence. Step by step, you’ll learn how to find and evaluate the existing research and determine whether there is sufficient clinical evidence to support a specific treatment and whether it should be recommended or used to address a client’s need. A wealth of examples drawn from the literature illustrates its role in everyday practice.

Be prepared to offer not only the physical rehabilitation regimen injured athletes need, but also the psychological and psychosocial support they need to recover from injuries. Here’s a user-friendly introduction to the application and practical use of psychosocial theories and techniques. You’ll develop an understanding of the research that underlies practice, and see how sports psychology is applied in clinical practice. Practical examples and suggested activities teach you how.

Speed and agility are central to success in a wide range of sports. Training for Sports Speed and Agility is the first evidence-based study of all those aspects of athletic preparation that contribute to the expression of speed and agility during competition. Drawing on the very latest scientific research in the fields of strength and conditioning, applied physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, and sports medicine, the book critically examines approaches to training for speed and agility. This book further explores the scientific rationale for all aspects of effective training to develop sports speed and agility, comprising a diverse range of topics that include: assessment strength training for speed and agility development speed-strength development and plyometric training metabolic conditioning mobility and flexibility acceleration straight-line speed development developing change of direction capabilities developing expression of agility during competition periodization. Every chapter includes a review of current research as well as offering clear, practical guidelines for improving training and performance, including photographs illustrating different training modes and techniques. No other book offers a comparable blend of theory and practice. Training for Sports Speed and Agility is therefore crucial reading for all students, coaches and athletes looking to improve their understanding of this key component of sports performance.