What is Mercy Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program

The Mercy Health Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program Sports participation among adolescent and high school females has grown significantly over the last 40 years. With that growth, there has been a noted increase in the rates of injuries associated with female athletes. Studies point to several factors leading to this increase, including strength deficits, hormone levels and biomechanics.

Mercy Health, in conjunction with Sportsmetrics (TM) has a program that can help. Mercy Health’s Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program is a new initiative designed to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance.

 

Who is a candidate for Mercy Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program

Female Athletes Who are at Risk For:

  • Overuse and early sport specialization
  • Weakness and poor neuromuscular control
  • Smaller and more hypermobile joints
  • Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) - when athletes do not get enough fuel to support energy demands
  • Stress fractures
  • ACL injuries

Who will benefit?

  • High performance female athletes
  • Recreational female athletes
  • Injured female athletes
  • Post-op female athletes

What to expect during Mercy Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program

  • Advanced testing to identify neuromuscular deficits
  • Injury prevention training
  • Human performance testing and prescription
  • Behavioral health education
  • Nutrition support and education
  • Hormone health and education

Program testing and training components

Injury prevention training

  • Six week plyometric, strength, agility and speed training

Performing arts support

  • Pre-pointe assessments
  • Dancer injury screenings
  • Pilates training

Neuromuscular testing and injury prevention screening

  • Drop jump test
  • Hop testing
  • Step down test

Nutrition education and support

  • Nutritional screenings
  • Referrals to sports dietitian

Hormonal health education and support

  • Menstrual cycle screening, tracking and education
  • Referrals to specialty physicians

Behavioral health education and support

  • Screenings for mental health
  • Educational tools for increasing mental performance
  • Referrals to sports psychology

Orthopaedic health education and support

  • Orthopaedic evaluations by physical therapists, athletic trainers, and orthopedic surgeons

Human performance assessments and training

  • V02 max testing
  • Multistage fitness test
  • Lactate threshold testing
  • Isokinetic strength testing

What are the risks for Mercy Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program

Potentials injuries to the lower extremity could occur during the assessment.  These injuries may include but are not limited to muscle strains and ligament sprains.  These injuries are the same as those that can happen during any sports activity that involves jumping or cutting

What does recovery from Mercy Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Female Athlete Health and Wellness Program entail?

Recovery after the assessment may include general muscle pain, soreness or stiffness as a result of the testing.  

To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact:
513-853-8881

Program Directors:
Carolyn Crampton, MS, ATC
ctcrampton@mercy.com

Stephanie Smith, MS
slsmith0@mercy.com

 

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