Thirteen students in the Master of Athletic Training program presented their final capstone research projects on April 12 to an interprofessional audience, including students, faculty and staff from the College of Health Professions and Sciences.
Four projects were presented by students in the class of 2022, split into teams of 3-4 people. The projects discussed a series of topics related to healthcare topics such as the readability of post-concussion home care instructions, effects of participation in a formal mentoring program for newly credentialed athletic trainers, low back pain and disability in an active population, and figure skaters’ hop performance during combine testing.
The capstone experience in the athletic training program is aimed at immersing the graduate students in the research process and encouraging their growth into scholarly clinicians, says Colby Mangum, an assistant professor in the athletic training program and capstone director.
“Our capstone experience gives our graduate students an advanced research experience as they investigate high priority topics in athletic training and sports medicine that will improve their future practice as an athletic trainer,” she says. “The capstone program ensures that students answer important questions that will further clinical practice, the patient and clinician experience, and ultimately, improve patient care.”
