Fourth Annual Mass General Brigham Athletic Training Conference Focuses on the Athlete's Cardiovascular, Neurological and Mental Health

The event at Gillette Stadium welcomed over 220 attendees, including high school coaches, to learn about latest strategies and research to support athlete performance “beyond the bones.”

Mass General Brigham was proud to host the 4th annual Athletic Training Conference at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, June 18^th from 8:30 am–5:00 pm. The conference this year explored general medical conditions outside of musculoskeletal injuries in athletes including cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, hematology, pulmonology, and mental health. Attendees heard from leading experts in the field, learned about the latest sports medicine research and technology, networked with colleagues in the industry, and left with the key concepts to empower them to support their communities and athletes.

“Youth athletes look to compete in an increasingly complex environment which requires a diverse array of skills for those that support them,” said Lauren Hoogendyk, Vice President of Mass General Brigham Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. “Our goal at Mass General Brigham is to bring our experts directly to those who work with these youth athletes every day. Throughout the conference our presentations and panels demonstrated the clinical excellence and innovation that makes Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine a national leader.”

The day kicked off with keynote speaker Mark Herzlich, former NFL linebacker, Super Bowl Champion, All American at Boston College and cancer survivor, who shared his inspiring story and the vital role that athletic trainers and clinical support play for youth athletes. The sessions covered a diverse range of topics: The Athlete’s Mental Health: Do You Want an Inner Opponent or Inner Teammate; Managing Athletes with Diabetes; Breathing Disorders in Sports: From Diagnosis to Management; Recognizing and Managing Cardiac Risks in Athletes; Cognitive Motor Training: Exercising Brain and Body; and The Importance of Fitness and Wellness in Sickle Cell Disease. The event was accredited for athletic trainers, athletic directors, nurses, coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, and physical therapists.

Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine provides clinical services to the Boston Bruins, New England Patriots, New England Revolution and Boston College, as well as numerous college and high school athletic programs throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. To learn more about sports medicine programs and services from Mass General Brigham, visit sportsmedicine.massgeneralbrigham.org. For information about careers for athletic trainers, visit the athletic training services page.