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Research is the key to unlocking the power of knowledge.  At the NATA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, the Foundation will honor:

• Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC: NATA Foundation Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research;

• Darin A. Padua, PhD, ATC: NATA Foundation New Investigator Award;

• Timothy A. Butterfield, PhD, ATC: NATA Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Award.

Kevin M. Guskiewicz	Darin A. Padua	Timothy A. Butterfield

Guskiewicz, who will receive a specially designed medal and a $5,000 cash award, will present “Sport-Related Concussion: Is Research Driving Clinical Practice?”  Padua will receive a medal and $2,000 and will share the results of his work “Risk Factor Identification and Prevention of ACL Injuries.”  Butterfield will be recognized for his outstanding doctoral dissertation.

In addition, Guskiewicz will serve as an exchange lecturer at the AOSSM Annual Meeting in 2006 and the ACSM Annual Meeting in 2007, and Padua will present at the AMSSM Annual Meeting in 2007.

You won't want to miss the fun at these Foundation activities during the NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia in Atlanta.  The NATA Foundation Golf Classic, NATA Foundation Night and NATA Foundation Fun Run/Walk … there's something for everyone!  Your participation will help the NATA Research & Education Foundation continue to offer a wide variety of programs and activities to help Athletic Trainers do their jobs more effectively every day!  Click here for more information!

Download Registration Form                Register Online

A record setting number of 73 scholarships will be awarded for the 2006-07 academic year.  There are 39 undergraduate, 25 masters and 9 doctoral recipients.

The recipients will be introduced at the William E. Newell Athletic Training Student Awards Luncheon at the NATA Convention in Atlanta on June 17.  The program will recognize their accomplishments and three selected recipients will share their passions for the profession of athletic training.  For tickets, check the NATA Foundation registration materials in the April issue of the NATA News.
 

Presenters:	Chuck Kimmel (NATA President)
	Beth Raitz-Rex (2005 Foundation Volunteer of the Year)
	Jerry Rhea (Past NATA President)
	Dr. Mike Sitler (NATA Foundation President)
Recipient Speakers:	Undergraduate - Julie Krussel,  University of Cincinnati
	Masters - Byron Millwood, ATC, University of South Carolina
	Doctoral - Melanie McGrath, MS, ATC, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The manufacturers’ generalization of Effective Radiating Area (ERA) leads to significant variability in the dose of ultrasound delivered to the patient.  Significant differences exist between manufacturers and across individual transducers from the same manufacturer.

STUDY BACKGROUND

ERA is a measure of the portion of an ultrasound crystal that is producing ultrasound.  Accurate measurement of ERA is essential and is utilized in the calculation of the SAI (Watts/cm²), and in determination of treatment area.  Many manufacturers report a single ERA value for both 1 and 3MHz which is utilized as a default ERA measurement (e.g. 5cm²) in the software of their machines to determine SAI; as opposed to using the true ERA of that particular ultrasound transducer.  Clinically, variability of true SAI would lead to discrepancies in the dose of therapeutic ultrasound and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To independently evaluate the existence of significant differences in ERA, total power and SAI across 6 manufacturers using standardized methodology.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A mixed model design was utilized in a controlled laboratory setting.  The independent variables were manufacturer and frequency.  The dependent measures were: ERA, Total Power and SAI.

SUBJECTS

Eleven 5cm² ultrasound transducers from 6 manufacturers (n=66).

MEASUREMENTS

Following calibration, each machine was set to 1.0 Watts/cm² and the total Watts produced for each transducer was measured via Wattmeter. ERA at 5mm from the transducer surface was determined at both 1 and 3MHz with a 400 micron detecting hydrophone (Onda HNZ-0400).

RESULTS

At 1MHz (table 1), Dynatronics ERA was larger than Xltek, Omnisound, Mettler, Chattanooga, and Rich-Mar (P<0.05).  Xltek and Omnisound ERA was larger than Mettler, Chattanooga and Rich-Mar (P<0.05).  At 3MHz, (table 2) Mettler and Xltek ERA, were larger than Chattanooga, Dynatronics, Omnisound and Rich-Mar (P<0.001).  Overall ERA at 1MHz (4.47 cm²+0.65) was smaller (P<0.005) than at 3MHz (4.96 cm2+0.60).  At 1MHz (table 1), Mettler SAI was higher than all others (P<0.05) and Dynatronics SAI was lower than all others (P<0.05).  At 3MHz (table 2), the SAI of Chattanooga was lower than all other. SAI range across all 66 transducers at 1 and 3MHz was 1.56 to 0.76 and 1.44 to 0.69, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the wide variability in ERA between individual transducers and frequencies, manufacturers should report and utilize frequency specific ERA values in the calculation of SAI for each transducer.  Incorporation of these finding by manufacturers and clinicians may increase consistency in applied treatments.
 

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Your NATA Research Foundation Board conducts conference calls February, April, August, October, and December and holds a face to face meeting every June in advance of the annual convention.  Below are some highlights of recent Board actions:

February 23, 2006

1. Approved naming Christopher D. Ingersoll, PhD, ATC as the Volunteer of the Year.

2. Approved the proposal for a Feasibility Study to be conducted by Farr-Healey Consulting, LLC.

3. Approved the proposal for Fundraising Consulting Services to be conducted by Mr. Murray Covens.

4. Elected the following directors and officers to the positions, and for the terms, indicated:

   Mike Sitler, President, 2-year term beginning June 2006 Clint Thompson, Vice President, 2-year term beginning June 2006 Sue Hillman, Treasurer, 2-year term beginning June 2006 Jeff Kearney, Sponsor Development Chair, 2-year term beginning June 2006 (fulfilling uncompleted term of Andy Horrow).

April 26, 2006

The time has come to take responsibility, take charge and take control of the future of our profession. As a family, we must rise to the challenge - TOGETHER. Your investment in the Foundation is vital to achieve these goals. It's the only way we can provide the tools needed to meet your needs and to make our profession thrive.

Your investment in the NATA Research and Education Foundation will yield great returns:

1. It will ensure practical research and education programs that will benefit you personally.
2. It will give you the tools necessary to provide the best care possible.
3. It will meaningfully help to solidify the athletic trainer's role as the healthcare provider of choice for the physically active.

The Foundation relies solely on voluntary support. That's why we challenge you to step up and help us fund much-needed research and education programs - programs that will directly benefit you, your career and your profession.

Your generosity is essential to our survival. So, please rise to the challenge personally, make the commitment and make your contribution to the Foundation.

In return, the Foundation will be here to support you...every step of the way.

For the good of your career, our family and the future...this is one commitment you must make!

2006 Building our Foundation Annual Fund Investor Gifts

$25 - $49	Lapel Pin
$50 - $99	NATA Foundation Pen
$100 - $249	Note Pad
$250+	33 oz Hot/Cold Thermos

2006 Goals for Donations from NATA Members

District 1	$8,400
District 2	$18,100
District 3	$13,800
District 4	$27,100
District 5	$10,600
District 6	$7,700
District 7	$6,600
District 8	$10,300
District 9	$17,800
District 10	$5,500
International	$1,100
Total	$127,000

To receive a Foundation brochure and pledge card, please call 800-TRY-NATA, ext. 147 or send a request to patsyb@nata.org.

For your convenience, you can now make your donation online with a major credit card!
Click here to make a donation online! or download any of the following forms

• YES Donation Form 2006 (for cash, check or credit card)
• Credit Card Donation Form (for recurring automatic credit card donation)
• Bank Draft Donation Form (for recurring automatic bank draft)

The NATA Research and Education Foundation is a freestanding 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, organized and operated separately from NATA.

To further your understanding of the process followed by the NATA Research & Education Foundation for awarding General Grants the flow chart is provided below.

• Aug. 15, 2006: General Research Grant applications due. Pre-Proposal Submission Form required.
• Sept. 1, 2006: Research Award Nominations due.
• Oct. 1, 2006: Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship application due.
• Oct. 15, 2006: Master's Research Grant applications due.
• Dec. 1, 2006: Abstracts due for 2007 Free Communications.
• Feb. 10, 2007: Scholarships applications due (postmarked).
• Feb. 15, 2007: General Research Grant applications due. Pre-Proposal Submission Form required.
• March 1, 2007: Doctoral Research Grant applications due.
• Apr. 1, 2007: Project Grant Program applications due.
• Apr. 15, 2007: Master's Research Grant applications due.

NATA Research & Education Foundation
2952 Stemmons
Dallas, TX  75247
214.637.6282
www.natafoundation.org