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Why should I join?                                                                                                                                                                                              Through nationalsportsmap.com, you will have opportunities to grow in your respective field. Our goal for each practitioner is to help with the following business aspects:                                                                                                                                                                                                                      - Business and client development                                                                                                                                                                                     - Paid P/T jobs                                                                                                                                                                                                                         - Networking Opportunities                                                                                                                                                                                                   - Product Discounts                                                                                                                                                                                                               - Event Bonuses                                                                                                                                                                                                                     - CEUs

How do I sign up as a M.A.P.?                                                                                                                                                            Go to the sign-in button on the top right of the screen. When the sign-in screen generates, click the M.A.P. button. Follow this by clicking on the ‘Create a new account’ link. Here you will be asked to enter all pertinent information in regards to your business including, but not limited to: Licensure, Certifications, Insurance. 

Is there a membership fee?                                                                                                  There is no membership fee. However, as we support many youth sports programs, it is imperative, and MANDATORY, for all practitioners to complete our background check application.

How do I know if an event is available to work?                                                                  When you see an event that you are available to work, please send an e-mail to info@nationalsportsmap.com. Use the Job Code in the subject bar so we can easily identify which event you are interested in. We will follow up with you within 48 hours of receipt and confirm if the position is open.

What is a Job Code?                                                                                                                                                                                  The Job Code is our method to identifying projects we work with. Each special Job Code is used by our staff, practitioners, and accounting department.

How will I be paid?                                                                                                                  You will e-mail info@nationalsportsmap.com the following information that will allow us to identify the following aspects of the event completion:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            - Practitioner Name                                                                                                                                                                                                                - Job Code                                                                                                                                                                                                                                - Dates of Work                                                                                                                                                                                                                        - Actual Daily Hours On Duty                                                                                                                                                                                                - Total Hours On Duty

In addition to this information, we request that you, the practitioner, e-mail the following documents, if applicable, so we can have an accurate record of clients and injuries:                                                                                                                                                                                                           - Professional Consent Form(s)                                                                                                                                                                                        - First Aid Treatment Form(s)                                                                                                                                                                  § For each First Aid Treatment Form used, make three (3) copies plus original. Distribution as follows:                                                                                     § EMT/Athlete to Hospital                                                                                                                                                                                                       § Event Organizer/Tournament                                                                                                                                                                                             § National Sports M.A.P.                                                                                                                                                                                                       § Athletic Practitioner

Once we receive this information and documents, we will then complete the payment and mail it to you directly. The payment for events is typically within 10 days of event completion.

Do I need to work every day during an event?                                                                                                                  In each event, we look to provide consistency for the clients, active participants and organizations. The participants appreciate cultivating relationships and learning about recovery methods from the practitioner. Some events are much longer than others and we understand you, our practitioner, have other work commitments. Therefore, under these circumstances, we will be open to scheduling practitioners for days and/or shifts.                                                                                                                                                                         *Note:On events three (3) days or less, we are more inclined to work with M.A.P.’s who are available for every shift.

Are there vounteer events?                                                                                                                                                                      We may have a few volunteer events throughout the year. In the event we work with you on a volunteer event, there will be perks associated with the trade of providing your services. These perks will be identified to you prior to the event.

What do I wear to the event?                                                                                                                                                                  Please wear professional attire for a Sports Medicine practitioner. We ask that you wear khaki pants or shorts with a blue polo shirt. Tennis shoes are required. Sportswear and athletic attire is acceptable as long as your look is professional. Please use climate and weather to identify the clothing you will be most comfortable in to perform your duties at the event. Emergency Medical Technician’s should wear standard navy work pants, hard toe shoes, and a navy polo. We look forward to working with you at our events. Please embrace our events as yours, the active participants as potential clients, and our standard operating procedures as a small set of rules implemented to create jobs, provide excellent sports medicine services, as well as increase athlete performance, decrease injury, and most importantly, on the occasion life saving skills are required perform CPR and Emergency services actively and responsibly in hopes to save a life.

Thank you in advance for all of your hard work dedication!

*Step 1A: Enter Self Registration Number: 44550385                                                                                                               License Verification Program                                                                                                                                           *Step 1B: Enter Self Registration Number: 66438142                                                                                                                Professional Certification Verification                                                                                                                            *Step 2: Enter Your Information as Requested                                                                                                                    *Step 3: Provide Legal Authorization and Certification                                                                                                    Once complete, the background check will be reviewed and either approved or denied. Upon approval, you will receive a copy of the background check for your records and your profile will be activated within 48 hours.

What happens if my background check is denied?                                      If your background check is denied, you will be sent e-mail with a letter directly from National Center for Safety Initiatives. The letter will detail the provisions of the review and inform you of the denied application. National Sports M.A.P. will not be given details of the review, however, we will be alerted that your application has been denied. At this time, we will not be able to work with you at our events.  If you feel your denied application was in error, please review and discuss with the appropriate parties. National Sports M.A.P. will, in no way, discuss this decision with any affiliated party.

December 16, 2012

National Sports Massage & Athletic Practitioners, LLC, otherwise known as National Sports M.A.P., has been creating sports medicine teams for over three years. Through a new partnership with National Center for Safety Initiatives, sports organizations and athletes alike can have confidence in the practitioners we bring to every event. In addition, our practitioners are vetted through this service and are secure in knowing the sports medicine team we put together is cleared to work at our events.                           

The mission of NCSI, formed in partnership with the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS), is "to serve as our country's premiere resource in an overall effort to eradicate harm and loss in organizations and communities across the globe through increased awareness and training, the creation and implementation of national standards and the integration of fully-managed risk management programs, inclusive of background screening."  

NCSI has one goal – to protect vulnerable populations. Children and seniors, parents and youth athletes, persons with disabilities and others who trust practitioners in sport can not always protect themselves from predators.  With the help of National Sports M.A.P., the sports organization and their athletes can trust our practitioners are professional in providing their respective service. In working with NCSI, National Sports M.A.P. leads the sports medicine industry in supporting all aspects of a sports organizations' needs for any event.

Sudden death in the young athlete is rare, estimated at one out of 100,000 to 300,000 per year. The occurrence is approximately 12 per year in high school athletes, with a male predominance. An underlying cardiovascular disease that is usually asymptomatic and undiagnosed is responsible for most of these tragic events.

The majority of sudden deaths are due to congenital cardiac malformations. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of sudden, unexpected cardiac death among 12-32 year olds on the athletic field. The risk of sudden death increases until the third decade of life. Unfortunately, there are usually no symptoms prior to sudden death. Diagnosis is difficult because heart-related changes due to HCM might not be present and identifiable until adolescence.

The second most common cause of sudden death is congenital coronary artery anomalies. These arteries supply blood to the heart. Sudden death may be the first sign of this condition and is usually precipitated by exercise. Approximately 25 percent may experience symptoms in the form of palpitations (heart flutter) and/or syncope (passing out).

Other causes of sudden death include:

• Myocarditis
  
  An inflammation of the heart.


• Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
  
  Very common. Risk factors are:
  
  
  
  • Family history,
  
  
  • Recurrent syncopal or passing out episodes,
  
  
  • Prolonged QT interval on EKG,
  
  
  • Marked physical changes in the mitral valve and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (leaky valve), and
  
  
  • History of embolic events (throwing blood clots).
  
  
  
  


• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
  
  A pre-excitation syndrome where individuals are susceptible to fast, irregular heart beats.


• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
  
  A rare muscle disorder of the right ventricle of the heart.


• Marfan syndrome



A disorder affecting the connective tissues, marked by abnormalities in skeletal muscle, eyes, heart, and great vessels.

• Long QT syndrome
  
  Is predominantly a hereditary disorder diagnosed by EKG changes. It usually occurs in patients with a history of recurrent syncope.


• Undiagnosed sudden death
  
  This condition requires comprehensive cardiovascular testing to exclude structural cardiac diseases that can lead to sudden death.

The athlete's personal and family history is of critical importance. Detection of some of the conditions known to cause sudden death in athletes is very difficult. Frequently, the family history is the only risk factor. Factors that would place an athlete at an increased risk for sudden death are a family history of premature death, significant health problems from cardiovascular disease in close relatives younger than 50 years of age, or if anyone in the family had these conditions. Parents should be responsible for completing the history forms for young athletes.

The personal history should include prior occurrences of chest pain on exertion, passing out during physical activity, and excessive shortness of breath or fatigue during exercise. A personal history of congenital or acquired heart disease, hypertension, murmurs or palpitations should be noted.

The cardiovascular exam should include, but is not limited to, blood pressure measurements, listening to the heart in at least two positions (sitting/lying or sitting/standing), assessing the femoral artery, and recognizing the physical signs of Marfan syndrome.

The American Heart Association recommends that both a history and a physical exam be performed before participation in organized high school and collegiate sports. It is also recommended that athletic screening be performed by a healthcare worker with the requisite training, medical skills, and background to reliably obtain a detailed cardiovascular history, perform a physical examination, and recognize heart disease. When cardiovascular abnormalities are identified or suspected, the athlete should be referred to a cardiovascular specialist for further evaluation or confirmation.

Finally, despite all of the precautions to prevent sudden cardiac death in young athletes, there are limitations to preparticipation screening. Due to the rarity of these conditions, mass screening is neither practical nor cost-effective. In conclusion, it is virtually impossible to achieve a zero-risk circumstance in competitive sports.

Written by: Michele D. Pescasio,M.D.

Article can be found at: http://www.sportssafety.org/articles/heart-disease/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         

LOCAL RESIDENTS RIDING TO STOP DIABETES AT THE ANNUAL TOUR DE CURE

 Longmont, CO - The American Diabetes Association is challenging riders to be part of the Stop Diabetes^® movement by taking part in the annual Tour de Cure^®, a cycling event happening on August 18, 2012 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease.                                                                                                        

“Many people will participate in the Tour de Cure for the stimulating competition, camaraderie and physical cycling challenge. But the real reward comes in knowing that every mile they ride and every dollar they raise brings us that much closer to stopping this disease that affects 316,000 people in our community,” said Tami Box, American Diabetes Association’s Colorado Tour de Cure Committee Chair. “With diabetes growing at near-epidemic proportions, the need for funds has never been so great,” she added.                     

Cyclists from around the region will gather at one of four routes to participate in the event.  They will join more than 50,000 other cyclists and volunteers from across the country.  Individuals and teams composed of co-workers, family and friends are taking the ride of their life by helping raise funds for the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes.  Tour de Cure is designed for anyone from the occasional to the experienced cyclist with routes from 10-mile family rides to 100-mile century rides. The route will feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders on. Riders and volunteers will enjoy the best after party in Colorado with live music, delicious free food and loads of activities for all ages!                                                                                                                    

Tour de Cure Colorado is proud to partner with National Sports M.A.P. this year to help athletes stay healthy with post-ride massages. Experienced Sports Massage and Athletic Practitioners will be available to riders when they complete their route and located in certain team tents – including the Champions tent and Red Rider tent. National Sports M.A.P. will support our riders with relaxing recovery massages, and help prevent any injury. This partnership brings an added element of health and wellness to Tour de Cure Colorado and will reward our riders for their hard work and dedication to Stop Diabetes. Learn more about National Sports M.A.P. at www.NationalSportsMAP.com.                                                              

The Tour de Cure raises funds through registration fees and pledges collected by the cyclists. To register, cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association toll‑free at 1‑888-DIABETES or visit us at www.diabetes.org/coloradotourdecure.          

Presented by Primal, Tour de Cure Colorado features a variety of routes.  There are routes for all ability levels. Routes and start times include:                                                                                                                                                                                 

20K (13 mile) – 11am start -- 50K (31 mile) – 10am start -- 100K (62 mile) – 7am start -- Century (100 mile) – 6am start                      

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.   For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

When researching for a Chiropractic physician, it is important to understand the background of the practitioner before proceeding with purchasing services from them. In this article, Dr. Todd Narson discusses the difference between a Chiropractor that works with athletes and a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP). 

In this tough economy and cautious spending, regardless of the referral source, you should do your homework to determine the right service provider for you. Practitioners often times offer clients discounts for referrals and this is a cause that many clients do not get the service they need. Be sure to get all of the information before making a decision to receive work on your body. It is imperative for an athlete to attain this information so they can receive the best service available. 

If you need a CCSP in Denver, contact Carly May - drcarlymay@gmail.com 

Thank you to all of the athletic practitioners who came out to work the 2012 San Diego ITF Senior World Championships over the past 2 weeks. The time and effort that we all put in was great and because of you all National Sports M.A.P. succeeded in showcasing why we provided the best Sports Massage & Athletic Practitioners in America. Over a 14 day period, we provided work and worked with 30 practitioners, over 200 volunteers and 1,000+ athletes who all praised our staff for exceeding expectations from what they've ever seen before. Our service providing Sports Massage Therapists, Athletic Trainers and Emergency Medical Technician's proved to be significant as we provided essential services these world champion athletes needed and will never forget. Included in our 2 week event were some significant medical emergencies, including Achilles ruptures, broken wrists, and even emergencies where our practitioners showed world class speed and efficiency in providing CPR and AED support required to help one athlete stay alive.  

Many athletes spent significant time in our training rooms, either getting strapped up, stretched, injuries evaluated and/or bodywork. The commitment to their body and will to finish regardless of the result was incredible. Covering 7 tennis facilities that included great facilities like the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, La Costa Resort & Spa, Morgan Run, and Barnes Tennis Center, among others, the sports medicine services at each and every location got a phenomenal reviews all around. National Sports Massage & Athletic Practitioners will continue to provide these services through the next year at events like this in Southern California and across the country, but in no way, shape, or form will the significance of this event ever be forgotten. Thank you again to all of the sports medicine staff that brought professionalism, character, and great skill sets within each of your fields. The best is yet to come in 2012, but the 2012 San Diego ITF Senior World Championships was one hell of a start!

If you didn't believe it before, now there's a study that has evidence of exercises anti-aging power. A team of researchers in Canada have found conclusive evidence, in mice, that "vigorous aerobic exercise reduced almost all of the signs of accelerated aging-including the graying of fur-in mice genetically programmed to age faster than normal."

How is this possible you ask? The study shows that the mitochondria, the microscopic power generators within cells, accumulate genetic mutations over time and therefore continue to change. Since the "mitochondria also happens to be where muscles undergo aerobic metabolism, which increases dramatically during exercise." Therefore, the sooner you start activating your muscles and mitochondria the sooner you can stay the same age. (Competitor, p.19)

Study from Canada's McMaster University

The epidemic continues...although not a teenager, a young, athletic 21 year old male has a heart attack at the finish line of a marathon and another man of 40 years young has a heart attack 1/4 mile from the finish. It is every event director or tournament director's worst nightmare knowing a healthy, vibrant athlete takes a tragic fall at their event. All of our prayers go out to the families and friends that lost their loved ones, their competitors, and the event staff that worked so hard during the event. 

In sport, their are no guarantees. Sometime we win, sometimes we lose. This is one of the unpredictable losses that saddens us all.

T.J. Murphy is a distance runner, competitor, and athlete. As the Editor of Competitor Magazine what he does for a living motivates him to keep working, to achieve goals, and to realize his being. In the July 2009 he went to the Nutrilite facility and performed an "exceptional health and fitness examination" that included blood analysis. After two weeks and all of the tests were analyzed, a doctor calls him and discusses his scores. While his health was fantastic, he scored "poorly for insulin resistance, registering an elevated insulin level- double what would be considered a healthy range." (Competitor p.12, July '11) The doctor goes on to discuss Type II diabetes, heart disease, cellular inflammation, and hyperinsulinemia among others and the writer took notes.

This goes to show that even though someone 'exercises & takes care of themselves' but eats whatever they want as opposed to eating healthy still can be caught with a diluge of potential diseases.

The full report in Health Affairs projected that "in the U.S. obesity costs nearly $150 billion a year in direct medical costs." As Americans, we have lost touch. We have lost touch with our sense of self, our sense of being, our sense of seeing, and our sense of believing. This is why the HA study indicated that one in three adults in the U.S. are considered obese, with the average American weighing in at 23 pounds overweight." (Competitor p.12, July '11) 

Proper nutrition, although only one component for attaining optimal success as an athlete, is by far the most undervalued resource for all athletes. Habits are created as a youth. As we mature, in sport and in life, we must consider that while we are motivated to attain our goals, our bodies need the motivation to achieve the goals; which scientifically comes down to the nutrients your body uses as fuel.

I second the motion "Why sit? Get FIT!". I encourage everyone to get out there and do a little more today than you did yesterday! Whether that means eat healthier, work out a little longer, or take a few minutes away from work and stretch, just do one more thing today that will help you along the way!