Jun 25, 2016NATA 2016: On the AT Expo Floor
Check back here to read T&C Managing Editor Mary Kate Murphy’s insights from the floor of the NATA 67th Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Baltimore. Mary Kate is armed with a pen, pad, and a list of educational seminars and will spend the rest of the week taking in the sights and sounds of the convention, sharing her observations in this blog.
Friday, 1:38 p.m.
I was lucky enough to spend the past couple of hours in the T&C booth with none other than our Most Valuable Athletic Trainer Elicia Leal! Elicia was kind enough to stop by, take pictures, and sign autographs of our T&C May/June issue (which features her on the cover). It was so fun to watch her interact with our readers, and it seemed like she knew everyone that passed by! It was easy to see that her long career as an athletic trainer has touched many others within the profession. We really enjoyed having her at our booth, and we appreciated her taking time out of her day to spend it with us!
Once Elicia left, I set off to take in the sights and sounds of the AT Expo floor. Right around the corner from our T&C booth, a sign advertising the Total Gym Jump Trainer Challenge caught my eye. Turns out, the contest was to see who could do the most reps on the Jump Trainer before failure, with the winner receiving a free Jump Trainer. By facilitating plyometric jumping, this equipment builds explosive power and develops lower-body muscle mass. Using both linear bodyweight resistance and variable band resistance, the Jump Trainer can be used for both training and rehab purposes. Cost-effective and space-efficient, the Jump Trainer is ideal for everyone from youth athletes to the elderly population, weekend warriors to elite athletes.
At the time of my visit, Michael Schwartz was in the lead, and time was ticking by quickly! So it was fitting to get a shot of the AT Expo attendee who was leading the pack.
UPDATE: Just before the close of the AT Expo, I was informed that the Total Gym Jump Trainer Challenge had a new leader–with 125 jumps! The bar has now been set super high, and I’ll update you on if this new total was enough to win!
Heading up toward the AT Expo Entrance, the sleek table below caught my eye. Turns out, it’s as innovative as it is attractive. A result of a partnership between The Athletic Edge and NormaTec, it originated from both companies’ emphasis on listening to athletic trainers. NormaTec clients have long raved about the company’s compression boots but had some trouble figuring out where to put them. Occasionally, they’d end up on the floor or draped over a training table, blocking it from use. Enter The Athletic Edge, known for its high quality treatment tables.
Together, the two companies created the CAB-090N treatment and recovery table, which made its premiere at the AT Expo. Designed for NormaTec’s PULSE Series Recovery Systems, the multipurpose table can be used from either side. Directly under the table can house two pairs of NormaTec boots, and two aluminum trays can hold PULSE Series Control Units. With a split leg, lift back, and additional, aerated storage underneath the table, the CAB-090N is a practical solution for a practical problem and perfectly blends leading recovery technology with quality and craftsmanship.
Other sights from the AT Expo that caught my eye:
