In the Locker Room with JoAnna Simon – The Oberlin Review

JoAnna Simon, Assistant Athletic Trainer, is the athletic trainer for Oberlin’s men’s basketball, soccer, baseball, and women’s tennis teams. She arrived on campus in 2021, and this article focuses on her experiences and expertise in the world of soccer.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What made you want to become a sports coach?

I always knew I wanted to help people recover from injuries. I originally wanted to be a physical therapist, but I didn’t want to work in a clinic all the time. Growing up, I played sports and when I got injured, there was a sports coach who helped me on my road to recovery. In college, I took a pre-athletic training course and fell in love with athletic training. It was the best of both worlds: not only could I help people get back into sports, but I could also be around athletes.

Where did you study?

I attended Troy University for my Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Alcorn State University for my Master of Science in Secondary Education – Athletic Administration and Coaching, and I am currently enrolled at AT Still University for a PhD in Athletic Training.

Why did you choose to work at Oberlin?

I chose to work at Oberlin for a number of reasons. First, I wanted a change of scenery after living in the South my entire life. I also wanted to experience working in multiple sports that were outside of my comfort zone, and I wanted to work at a prestigious institution.

What are the most common injuries you see in football players, both during matches and during training?

The most common injuries I see in practice are different than those I see in games. Typically, in practice (non-contact or NFL pace), I occasionally see sprains, contusions, or strains. In games, the intensity is higher, so the risk of injury is higher. These injuries still consist of sprains, contusions, and strains, but more commonly, they are concussions, dislocations, and fractures.

How are football injuries different from those in other contact sports?

I believe that injuries in football are no different than injuries seen in other contact sports, but the frequency of injuries may be the only difference, as football is a high impact, high intensity sport.

How prevalent are concussions in American football and how are they typically diagnosed?

Concussions are quite common in American football and are usually diagnosed by a subjective measure such as patient report of symptoms and an objective measure such as a computerized exam – ImPACT or Sway.

What steps can players take to reduce their risk of injury during the season and in the offseason?

In season, players should learn proper tackling techniques, eat well, and get plenty of rest. During the off-season, players should rest and address any lingering issues from the season and limit their participation in activities that carry a high risk of injury.

How important is strength and conditioning to you in preventing injuries in football?

I think strength and conditioning are very important in football. However, I don’t think injuries can be prevented through strength and conditioning alone. Nick Chubb is an example of this.

What is the typical recovery process for a player who sustains a serious injury such as a torn ACL or broken bone?

If an ACL is torn, the recovery process will consist of physical therapy to relearn how to walk, strengthen the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and other lower body muscles, as they will atrophy after surgery. The athlete will also need to regain confidence before returning to the sport that caused the injury. A broken bone will usually require a cast or surgery; depending on the body part and sport, the athlete may be able to play with a broken bone. The athlete will need to regain strength and range of motion in the joint and surrounding soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles).

How do you find the right balance between helping a player recover quickly and ensuring he doesn’t return to the field too early?

I try to be honest about the pros and cons of playing with an injury. If the range of motion and strength are equal when compared bilaterally and the player is able to play with minimal pain, then he will be able to play. A player can be helped to recover quickly through various rehabilitation and treatments: massage, cupping, etc. — techniques, but it is easy to tell when a player is not ready to return to activity based on observations of body language — wincing in pain, “shaking” a body part — and mechanics while participating in the activity.

What are the long-term physical consequences of playing high-level football for many years?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy has been a hot topic for the past few years among NFL athletes. I believe it is the most serious long-term physical consequence that we will not know about until someone dies.

Have you seen or heard of players struggling with chronic pain, arthritis or other long-term issues after their football career?

I have never seen or heard of players with chronic pain, arthritis or other long-term issues. I believe this is largely due to the population I treat, which is college-aged athletes who typically continue physical activity after playing football.

How can players mitigate the risk of long-term damage to their joints, ligaments and muscles?

I think it’s a difficult question to answer. I think football can cause long-term damage, simply because of the nature of the sport, but if players are honest with themselves, their coaches, their doctors and their strength and conditioning staff when something is bothering them, we can adapt the activity and treat the injury in a way that minimises the long-term damage.