As athletes returned to play after the COVID-19 shutdowns, the challenges went far beyond regaining physical fitness. In this episode, the AT Last team explores how underserved communities faced disproportionate risks in their comeback, from gaps in access to athletic trainers and safe conditioning programs, to the mental health toll of uncertainty.

This conversation highlights the urgent need to reimagine return-to-play protocols with equity at the center, ensuring that every athlete, regardless of background, has the resources and support to safely step back on the field.

AT L.A.S.T.

Website: WeAreATLast.org

Email: adam.cady@weareatlast.org

Support: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/athletic-trainers-leveraging-activism-for-social-transformation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/at-l-a-s-t

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlastpod

35% OFF Thorne Products compliments of http://raincrosshp.com/ go to https://thor.ne/Ch2Uc

20% OFF Xcelerated Recovery products: Code Rain20: https://xrscience.org/

Artwork by Jason Eisenberg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dots_and_squares/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoneisenberg00/

Music by Willie B the Ichiban Don

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichibandon/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-brown-25945b168/

Production / Engineering / Editing / by Gerson Sandoval

Website: www.davyrover.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davy.rover/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gersonsandovalengineer/

Hosts

Chris Bates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbatesatc/

Kristen Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenross85/

Adam C. Cady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamccady/

References

1. PASC: https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director/statements/nih-launches-new-initiative-study-long-covid
2. Kim JH, Levine BD, Phelan D, et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 and the athletic heart: emerging perspectives on pathology, risks, and return to play. JAMA Cardiol. 2021;6(2):219.
3. https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2021-01-12/youth-sports-competitions-grow-in-southland
4. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html
5. Elliott N, Martin R, Heron N, Elliott J, Grimstead D, Biswas A. Infographic. Graduated return to play guidance following COVID-19 infection. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(19):1174-1175.