Team of Experts

Working collaboratively, a team of physical therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, head coaches, and athletic trainers designed an ACL injury prevention program that has reduced the incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among female athletes at the University of Pennsylvania, says the school's head athletic trainer, Eric Laudano, M.H.S., ATC.

It is up to school administrators to ensure that an athletic trainer (AT) is part of the athletic department staff at the high school level, says Eric Laudano, M.H.S., ATC, head athletic trainer at the University of Pennsylvania.

Return to sports after an injury is a stepwise process, says Eric Laudano, M.H.S., ATC, head athletic trainer at the University of Pennsylvania, designed to minimize the chances of re-injury.

In determining when an athlete is ready psychologically ready to return to play, communication between the athlete and the athletic training staff, coaches, parents is critical.

An athlete's psychological readiness is just as important for a return to sports as their physical recovery from injury, says Eric Laudano, head athletic trainer at the University of Pennsylvania, especially for long-term injuries.

What are sports nutrition "must-haves"? Peanut butter, low fat milk, oatmeal, nuts, and salmon, says Nancy Clark. And a copy of her Sports Nutrition Guidebook!

Eating foods rich in Omega 3's (DHA or fish oil), such as tunafish or salmon, twice a week, is good  because they heart-healthy and may protect the brain against concussion, says sports nutritionist Nancy Clark.

Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, pastas, oatmeal, are the foundation of any athlete's diet, says sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, because they are the fuel for exercise.

Fruits and vegetables are "nature's vitamin pills," says sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, and should be an important part of every meal an athlete eats.

Taking nutritional supplements such as creatine, says sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, puts young athletes at a disadvantage because if they start taking them early they will never know what their bodies can do without them.