Student Writing Contest

The NATA Foundation Athletic Training Student Writing Contest (SWC) is named for Deloss Brubaker, who chaired the contest for its first 30 years. The SWC is now in its 41st year. Through this competition, a total of $1,000 is awarded by the NATA Foundation in 3 different contest divisions.

Athletic training students enrolled in professional programs are eligible to participate in the following categories of submission (categories updated beginning in 2024 award cycle – more info below):

Original Research ($500)
Summary Evidence Research ($250)
Clinical Practice Research ($250)

 

 

 

The NATA Foundation is thankful for GLATA sponsoring the Student Writing Contest since 2019!

IMPORTANT! Review the Submission Instructions and Contest Requirements prior to submitting.

Below are the categories and the associated descriptions for exemplar full manuscripts:

Original Research: Submission Guidelines
Summary Evidence Research: Submission Guidelines
Clinical Practice Research: Submission Guidelines 

Submissions due February 1.
SWC SUBMISSION

Questions?  Please contact kathrynl@nata.org.

NEW STUDENT WRITING CONTEST CATEGORIES!

The NATA Foundation is excited to announce updated categories for the Student Writing Contest. These new categories aim to expand the scope of the Student Writing Contest and provide a platform for students to submit their research projects that previously did not have a specific category.

The following are the new categories for the Student Writing Contest:

  1. Original Research
  2. Summary Evidence Research
    Includes: critically appraised topics (CATS), literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses
  3. Clinical Practice Research
    Includes: quality improvement projects, case study/series, evidence practice reviews

Participating in the Student Writing Contest offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to:

  • Gain recognition for your hard work and academic achievements
  • Provides a valuable opportunity for students and future researchers to engage in professional writing opportunities
  • Network with fellow students and professionals in your field

We encourage all students to take advantage of these new categories and submit your research projects accordingly.

2023 Award Winners

Best Original Research
Best Literature Review
Best Case Study

Shayna Goldfarb – Springfield College
“Investigation of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Prevalence and Education in DIII College Athletes”

Key take home message: Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are a great tool for recovery and injury management for athletes. Being an easily obtainable over-the-counter medication, NSAIDs have become abused and athletes have little knowledge of proper dosage or long-term side effects. No athletic trainer can prevent all injuries, but it is our job to educate our athletes. This investigation raised awareness for the need to implement an NSAID education program.

Lucas Venegas – Weber State University
“Effectiveness of eccentric exercise in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rehabilitation protocols: A literature review”

Key take home message: “Understanding the physiological and morphological responses associated with the correct application of eccentric exercise can serve as powerful tool that many athletic trainers can add to their repertoire of skills that can help to potentiate therapeutic exercise and performance in ACL-reconstructed individuals”

Aislinn Roth – Moravian University
“Proximal Tibiofibular Synostosis in a Female Soccer Athlete”

Key take home message: “This case study details a collegiate soccer player with a proximal tibiofibular synostosis. When symptomatic, the clinical presentation of osteochondromas may differ greatly, making accurate diagnosis difficult. The initial presentation mimicked a stress fracture, but traditional treatment did not relieve the pain. The correct diagnosis was only made after advanced imaging was obtained. While proximal tibiofibular synostosis is uncommon, clinicians should be aware of the potential causes, common clinical presentation, and diagnostic imaging required to make a definitive diagnosis.”