University of Connecticut

KSI 6th Annual Fundraising Gala

Gabrielle Giersch, Associate Director of Education and Assistant Director of Athlete Performance and Safety

On May 11th KSI hosted our 6th annual fundraising gala at the NFL headquarters in New York City. Our staff traveled down and were humbled and honored by the incredible turnout and support from those that attended. The efforts of KSI to prevent sudden death and maximize safety and performance were major topics of remarks made throughout the night.

We were honored by the presence of several of our corporate partners who help immensely to making the mission of KSI a reality. It was truly a night for people to come together in joyous support of the work of KSI and their role in it. We were especially excited to welcome heartsmart.com since it was their first KSI event as a corporate partner!

We were able to honor three incredible people with our KSI awards. The 2017 KSI Lifesaving Research Award was presented to R. Dawn Comstock, PhD from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado, the 2017 KSI Lifesaving Service Award was presented to James L. Thornton, ATC from Clarion University, and the 2017 KSI Lifesaving Education Award was presented to Brain Hainline, MD, CMO of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Big congratulations to all award winners!!

As a follow-up from the announcements from the last year’s fundraising gala, it was announced that all proceeds from the 6th annual fundraising gala were going toward the heat lab equipment fund. After some unforeseen circumstances that increased the cost, we have decided to raise additional funds for the lab equipment, instead of compromising the quality of the facility. University of Connecticut generously pledged to offer the account up to $200,000, if KSI can raise $130,000. Donations can be made from our website: https://uconn.givecorps.com/causes/1153-the-korey-stringer-institute-fund

We would like to give a special thanks to the UConn Foundation for assistance in helping the evening run so smoothly. We also cannot thank the attendees enough for traveling to attend the event, proudly showing your support for KSI and our mission, and always being so generous with your time and advocacy.

 

For the photos of the gala please visit the link below:

http://www.lepetitstudio.photos/Events/Korey-Stringer-Institute-6th-Annual-Gala-2017/?platform=hootsuite

 

The Rise of the Quantified Athlete Review

Courteney Benjamin, MS, CSCS, Associate Director of Communication and Assistant Director of Athlete Performance and Safety

Gabrielle Giersch, MS, Associate Director of Education and Assistant Director of Athlete Performance and Safety

 

It’s not a secret that the use of wearable technology in sports is a hot topic among many of the world’s leading experts in sports and research. The popularity of this idea led to the creation of the first symposium of its kind called “The Rise of the Quantified Athlete.” Harvard Innovation Labs, Sports Innovation Lab, and OneTeam Collective worked together to create what is sure to be the first of many similar meetings between the world’s leading experts and innovators in sports and technology. At this symposium, there were four panels designed for informing, optimizing, and focusing the use of wearable technologies in sports and a fifth panel of elite athletes centering on their experiences with various technologies.

We were fortunate to attend this meeting at the world-class facilities of the Harvard Innovation Lab on Harvard University’s campus in Boston, MA. This lab “is a unique collaboration and education space designed to foster entrepreneurship and innovation across Harvard.1

Screen Shot 2017-02-23 at 7.57.02 PM

This group worked with the Sports Innovation Lab founders Isaiah Kacyvenski (NFL veteran), Angela Ruggiero (Hockey Olympic Gold Medalist), and Joshua Walker (Researcher) to put on this event.  The purpose of this organization is to “identify and evaluate the technology products and services that will power the future of sports.2” OneTeam Collective, the third partner responsible for putting on this event, is an organization “designed to accelerate growth for companies seeking to align with the sports industry.3

The organizations that attended this meeting ranged from veterans to up-and-coming companies trying to gain a niche in this growing market. In addition to our group from KSI, the following companies and/or organizations were involved in the panel discussions.

Company/Organization Website
Harvard Innovation Lab https://i-lab.harvard.edu/
Sports Innovation Lab https://www.sportsilab.com/
OneTeam Collective http://www.oneteamcollective.com/
Intel http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wearables/wearables-overview.html
Gatorade Sports Science Institute http://www.gssiweb.org/en
ESPN Sports Science http://www.espn.com/espn/sportscience/
US Army http://www.usariem.army.mil/
Harvard Biodesign Lab http://biodesign.seas.harvard.edu/
MIT Sports Technology Group https://innovation.mit.edu/
USC Center for Body and Computing https://www.uscbodycomputing.org/
VERT https://www.myvert.com/
NIX http://nixbiosensors.com/
MC10 https://www.mc10inc.com/
Humon https://humon.io/
Halo Neuroscience https://www.haloneuro.com/
Rabil Companies http://endurancecos.com/meet-the-team/paul-rabil/
STRIVR Labs http://strivrlabs.com/
WHOOP http://whoop.com/
Zebra Technologies https://www.zebra.com/us/en/solutions/location-solutions/zebra-sport-solution.html
STATS https://www.stats.com/

 

 

IMG_0392
Dr. Casa during the “4th Quarter” Panel Discussion

Dr. Douglas Casa served on the third panel titled: “Software Changing the Role of Coaches and the Analysis of Athletic Performance” where he was able to discuss the importance of research in development of wearable technologies and how KSI has been involved in that research world. He suggested that every company entering this market should reach out to a third-party research group to validate their device in a peer-reviewed fashion. This type of validation will provide the company and the consumer confidence that their product works.

 

To wrap up the symposium, the following big names in sports discussed their experience with technology:

Matt Hasselbeck IMG_0393(NFL, ESPN), Ryan Fitzpatrick (NY Jets), Sean Sansiveri (NFLPA), Dr. Leslie Saxon (USC Center for Body Computing), Meghan Duggan (United States Olympic Committee), Paul Rabil (MLL and US Lacrosse), Zak DeOssie (NY Giants), Shawn Springs (NFL), andCraig Adams (NHL).

 

Overall, this symposium was an awesome start to a much larger, much needed conversation. It seemed that the general consensus with most attendees was that all of the technology and data we are now able to gather is phenomenal. Moving forward, we must all continue to strive to validate every measurement tool, make sense of all of the data these tools are collecting, and determine best practices for using this analysis to make meaningful differences in performance. This is an exciting time to be in this field, in its infancy, when the potential for growth is limitless.

 

 

  1. Harvard i-lab. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from https://i-lab.harvard.edu/
  2. Sports Innovation Lab (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from https://www.sportsilab.com/
  3. OneTeam Collective. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from https://www.nflpa.com/oneteamcollective

 

New England ACSM Annual Meeting

By Rachel Katch, MS, ATC, Associate Director of Occupational and Military Safety

 

On October 13th & 14th, students and staff from the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut (UConn) attended the annual New England American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) conference in Providence, RI titled, “Advancing the Profession – One Step at a Time. Many members of KSI used this platform to present various topics of their interest. Yuri Hosokawa presented on LPS-induced TLR-4 activation during prolonged running and cycling events in hot and humid environments. Rachel Katch presented on the use of the heat stress score and how those can predict preparedness to run in an outdoor race. Gabe Giersch presented her master’s thesis from James Madison University which is titled, The Effect of the CYP1A2 -163 C>A Polymorphism on the Metabolism of Caffeine and Effect on Performance. Abigail Colburn presented her bachelor’s degree research about hydration knowledge and perception in DI NCAA male soccer athletes as well as the influence of water vessel on consumption and perception. Dr. Douglas Casa, Dr. Rebecca Stearns, and Dr. William Adams presented on policy change in sport, epidemiology of sudden death in sport, how policy changes can save lives and protect athletes, and how to initiate policy changes in secondary school athletics.

thumb_img_9009_1024

At the NEACSM Expo, UConn’s Department of Kinesiology provided information regarding its new Exercise Prescription Online Graduate Certificate Program. This program is for individuals interested in transitioning into the field of Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, Kinesiology, Personal Training, Exercise Physiology, and Health and Fitness. Additionally, this program is targeted at individuals who are looking to enhance their current job credentials or earn degree advancement. This is a 9-credit, three course online graduate certificate that can help advance knowledge base in a very dynamic field, preparing individuals to take their career to the next level.

 

At the completion of this online certificate program, students will:

  • Learn about the nuances of administering exercise stress tests in healthy and unhealthy populations.
  • Become proficient in evaluating a person’s overall health prior to beginning of an exercise program and throughout program maintenance.
  • Understand how to incorporate aerobic, resistance, concurrent, neuromotor and flexibility exercise appropriately into exercise plans.
  • Learn about the underlying processes involved with chronic diseases or special health conditions.
  • Become adept at using the F.I.T.T. (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) principle of exercise prescription to prevent, treat, and manage these conditions.
  • Learn how to develop individualized exercise prescriptions to increase and promote physical activity, fitness, strength, endurance, and flexibility to optimize health and meet athletic performance goals.
  • Learn how to use behavioral strategies to increase adherence with exercise plans.
  • Become adept at recognizing common medication classes likely to be encountered by health/fitness professionals, and how they may influence the exercise responses.

 

The application deadline for the Spring 2017 semester is December 2nd, 2016. More information and applications can be found online at http://exerciseprescription.uconn.edu.

Pre-College Summer @ UConn

Pre College Summer

By Rachel Katch, MS, ATC, Associate Director of Military and Occupational Safety

The Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut is conducting its first Emergency Issues in Sports Medicine Pre-College Summer academic focus. In total there will be four, 1-week (17.5 hour) long seminars targeted towards future leaders in the high school setting, which features a curriculum of evidence-based prevention, recognition, and treatment of the Nation’s leading emergency issues in sports, military, and occupational settings. Each session includes interactive presentations disseminated by the experienced staff of the Korey Stringer Institute, as well as a hands on learning lab simulating the emergency treatment of a life threatening aliment. A broad range of emergent topics will be covered during the sessions including:

 

  • Cardiovascular events
  • Exertional heat illnesses
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic injuries
  • And other significant contributors to sudden death

 

Despite recent and proposed rule and policy changes at all levels of activity (i.e., NFL, USA Youth Soccer, NCAA, etc.), including the now punishable act of head-to-head contact during tackling in football and the removal of heading in youth soccer, sudden death due to the above conditions can still be an inherent aspect of sport and physical activity. Participants can expect to learn imperative knowledge in the understanding of today’s leading causes of death in sport and physical activity, including essential firsthand skills in the prevention, recognition, and treatment of these emergent injuries and illnesses.

 

With our first Sports Medicine session in the books, our curriculum has been very well received by students and has been regarded as interactive, engaging, rigorous, and very informative. Students have come away from this course with a new understanding of sports medicine and the number one causes of sudden death in sport and physical activity. When asked what was the most interesting/important thing they learned in our seminar, all responded with a resounding, “Everything!” Unfortunately, registration has closed for our 2016 seminars; however, keep a look out next year for our 2017 Pre-College Summer Sports Medicine Seminars!

 

If you have questions regarding the Emergency Issues in Sports Medicine Pre-College Summer academic focus, or the activities of the Korey Stringer Institute, please contact Rachel Katch at rachel.katch@uconn.edu

5th Annual Korey Stringer Institute Gala and Fundraiser

By Alicia Pike, Assistant Director of Youth Sport Safety

KSI Gala 2016

The 5th Annual Korey Stringer Institute Gala and Fundraiser was held this past Thursday evening, May 5th, at the NFL Headquarters. Every year we are in awe of the immense support received from colleagues, friends, and family, and this year’s Gala was no exception. The night started by greeting guests and catching up with those who traveled near and far to attend the event, but this was not just a night for socializing. After welcoming remarks from Jeff Miller, Senior Vice President of Health and Safety Policy for the NFL, guests got to hear from James Gould, Chairman of the advisory board for the Korey Stringer Institute, Jeff Seemann, Vice President for Research at the University of Connecticut, and Kelci Stringer, Founder and Spokesperson of KSI. All emphasized the impact that KSI has had on spreading knowledge and advocacy to prevent sudden death in athletes, soldiers, and laborers both locally and nationally.

We are able to achieve this mission through the immense support of passionate, motivated people, especially our corporate partners, many of whom were in attendance. It was an exciting night for the KSI staff, as two announcements were made that will undoubtedly maximize the potential for research opportunities and more. Josh Shaw, Founder and CEO of Mission Athletecare, proudly announced the building of a state of the art heat chamber and performance lab on UConn’s campus. To add to the exciting news, Scott Sailor, President of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), announced an established partnership between the NATA and KSI, which will result in collaborative research efforts and opportunities.

This was also a night of recognition. Every year, KSI acknowledges three leaders in the realms of research, service, and education who have had a significant impact on health and safety for athletes and the physically active.  The 2016 KSI Lifesaving Research Award was awarded to Frederick Mueller, former Director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Through his research, he reduced the number of football fatalities and catastrophic injuries in high school and college sports. Rachael Oats, Associate Executive Director of the NATA, received the 2016 KSI Lifesaving Service Award. In addition to being a key advocate for KSI, Rachael has been involved in a vast number of projects and meetings, served on countless committees, and has volunteered hours of her time to advance health and safety initiatives and promote the prevention of sudden death in sport and physical activity. The final award, KSI Lifesaving Education Award, was presented to Lawrence Armstrong, distinguished professor in the Department of Kinesiology at UConn and President of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Armstrong has dedicated years to teaching and research, primarily focused on the effects of dehydration on cognitive functioning and exercise performance, as well as factors impacting thermoregulation and physiological strain.

It was another unforgettable night spent with colleagues, friends, and family who all share and support the same passion for preventing sudden death in the physically active. To those who traveled to attend, some traveling across the country to show support, we cannot thank you enough. It is your continued encouragement, advocacy and support that allow KSI to grow, thrive and save lives.

 

 

 

 

Pre-College Summer at UConn

By Rachel Katch, Assistant Director of Military and Occupational Safety

Pre College Summer

The Pre-College Summer at UConn program is a rigorous academic opportunity offering rising high school juniors and seniors (class of 2017 or 2018) the chance to study and live on a top-ranked public university campus. Students are immersed in challenging and intensive one-week sessions in an academic area of their choice, choosing from a multitude of topic areas. The Korey Stringer Institute is proud to announce that we will be offering four sessions of our first ever Pre-College Summer Sports Medicine course.

Screen Shot 2016-05-02 at 3.53.51 PM

 

Our one-week (17.5 hour) programming features a curriculum of evidence-based prevention, recognition, and treatment of the nation’s leading emergency issues in sports, military, and occupational settings. Each session includes interactive presentations disseminated by the experienced staff of the Korey Stringer Institute, as well as hands on learning labs simulating the emergency treatment of life threatening aliments. A broad range of emergent topics will be covered during the sessions including:

  • Cardiovascular events
  • Exertional heat illnesses
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Other significant contributors to sudden death

Despite recent and proposed rule and policy changes at all levels of activity (e.g., NFL, USA Youth Soccer, NCAA, etc.), including the now punishable act of head-to-head contact during tackling in football and the removal of heading in youth soccer, sudden death due to the above conditions can still be an inherent aspect of sport and physical activity. Participants can expect to learn imperative knowledge in the understanding of today’s leading causes of death in sport and physical activity, including essential firsthand skills in the prevention, recognition, and treatment of these emergent injuries and illnesses.

 

To register for our course, as well as find additional parent information regarding cost, accommodations, scheduling, etc., please visit the Pre-College Summer at UConn Sports Medicine website:

http://precollege-summer.uconn.edu/academic-areas/sport-medicine/

 

For any additional questions regarding the course’s curriculum, or the activities of the Korey Stringer Institute, please contact Rachel Katch at rachel.katch@uconn.edu. We look forward to seeing you in the summer!