Athletic trainers from throughout Essex County participated in a special training workshop last week at West Essex Regional High School.

Seventeen trainers from the Super Essex Conference of high schools spent a half day listening to presentations by physical therapists, physicians and weightlifting coaches. West Essex Athletic Director Damion Macioci designed the workshop to help educate trainers about preventing and recognizing different sports injuries as well as to help them satisfy their training requirements.

“We are basically providing the athletic trainers with a variety of important topics, case studies and relevant information to increase their knowledge and help them become more effective as athletic trainers,” Macioci said. The speakers included up-to-date research in their presentations to help athletic trainers with injury assessment, injury prevention and treatment and care of athletic injuries.

Sal Marinello, a USA weightlifting coach from the Millburn-Short Hills Athletic Club, spoke to trainers about “Dynamic Activities for Injury Prevention.” He told trainers that “you are not just trying to increase the range of motion” for your athletes. “You are looking for long-term benefits.”

“The best high school athletes are still developing athletes—they are still kids,” Marinello said.

Marinello also stressed the importance of school athletic trainers working together with high school coaches for the benefit of high school athletes.

James Caldwell High School team physician Dr. Robert Masella, a graduate of James Caldwell High School, spoke to the trainers about “Current Concepts of Diagnosis & Treatment of Ankle Injuries.”

Speakers also included Dr. Louis Rizio of Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, John Gallucci of JAG Physical Therapy and Dr. Michael Russonella of North Jersey Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute.

All of the speakers donated their time, Macioci noted.