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How These Athletic Trainers Help You Navigate Your Sports Health

March 01, 2018

Whether you’re training for a sport or recovering from an injury, sports health navigators at the Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital can make a huge difference. They are an elite group of certified, licensed athletic trainers dedicated to injury prevention, athlete assessment and rehabilitation. Eric Smullen is the Vice President of Rehabilitation Services at Hartford HealthCare. 

Q: There is a robust sports health program at the Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute. What sets it apart? 

A: We look at the athlete as a whole to help achieve their goals. We have many tools that Major League and Olympic training facilities utilize. We have a Motion Lab – more than 10 cameras capturing the way the body moves — we look at that and enhance or correct any issues. We also have VO₂ Max, which can look at how an athlete is breathing and how endurance can improve. But these are just a few options.

Q: Take us through the assessment process. What can a competitive athlete going through training expect from the process? 

A: Our assessment is comprehensive and looks at everything from diet and nutrition to psychological needs. We look at the physical aspects and then create a customized plan of action.

Q: In terms of rehabilitation, what do you offer someone recovering from an injury?

A: We work directly with your doctor and come up with a plan to return you to sport . . . or even a plan to enhance what you’re already doing.

Learn more about the sports health program at Hartford HealthCare by visiting mysporthealth.org or calling 1.855.800.4040.