The 2024 Fitness & Wellness Summit took place 28th March in The Helix, DCU. ARTI were once again delighted to be partners for the event and utilised the day to showcase our members capabilities to the public and colleagues from other disciplines. A team of five took part during the day; three event team members and two speakers, who all represented ARTI extremely well.
ARTI Executive members and ARTI speakers:
L-R: Ciara Mulrooney PRO, Calvin Teahan Registrar, Sam Rice CAT, Shane Dalton Vice PRO, Craig Reddan CAT
The event began at 8.30am with a queue forming to enter – hopefully a sign of things to come! Throughout the day talks and discussion panels were held, ranging from keynote speakers such as Des Ryan and Brian Keane to panel topics on female wellness and the role of S&C. While breakout rooms showcased a broad range of topics from technology to pelvic health to diabetes to rehabilitation. Here our two esteemed speakers presented to their attentive audiences.
Certified Athletic Therapist Speakers 2024: 
L-R: Craig Reddan CAT, Sam Rice CAT
First to the floor was Craig Reddan from Craig Reddan Sport Injury Clinic and CAT with Shannon RFC, who discussed the nuances of delivering high level rehabilitation to athletes and emphasised the need for individuality, clear progressions and how things aren’t always text book. He discussed testing protocols and exercise progressions, which ones work well and why. A brilliant insight into the gap between normal rehabilitation and high end rehabilitation, ensuring athletes are returning to play in a better position than pre injury.
The scheduling allowed for dedicated time to network and during this time we engaged with the attendees and answered any queries about what Certified Athletic Therapists can do. Some left with new merchandise in the form of pens or bags, others gained an insight what CATs are and more left with an understanding of CATs skillset and how to book one (re-emphasising the importance to ensure all CATs are visible on the Find a CAT page).
ARTI Executive members Ciara Mulrooney & Calvin Teahan at the exhibitors stand
Our second speaker was Sam Rice, Head of Medical at St. Patrick's Athletic and CAT FAI Irish Men’s National Team who gave an invaluable insight into the life of a CAT working in elite level sport and as part of an interdisciplinary team. Sam discussed the daily routine in elite football – breaking it down into blocks of minutes – showing the attention to detail required. He also discussed the importance of communication with other staff in different departments– each being a vital cog in the performance of the squad. Plus the ability to think critically under pressure and address assessment, treatment and rehabilitation protocols in a fluid effective manner. Overall an excellent discussion on return to play in elite football and the role of a CAT.
The event allowed us to showcase ARTI to the general public and meet with others in the sports medicine, fitness, health and exercise fields spreading the benefits of Certified Athletic Therapists. We plan on engaging in more opportunities to show our members skills in the near future.
A snapshot of the audience listening to our Certified Athletic Therapist speakers
ARTI Executive members in attendance: L-R Calvin Teahan Registrar, Ciara Mulrooney PRO, Shane Dalton Vice PRO
According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine blog "Rehabilitation of athletes (recreational & professional) must be recognised as an advanced skill requiring specialist training." Athletic Therapy fulfills this, without requiring further postgrad studies.