From Data to Deployment: Guiding Onsite Naturopathic Care Unit Preparation and Response Through Injury Analytics from a High-Volume Team-Based Court Sport Tournament is published and available online

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Abstract

Background: The Emerald City Volleyball Classic is an annual tournament involving over 1,000 amateur female youth athletes. Since 2010, a medical team composed of licensed naturopathic physicians and student clinicians from Integrative Medicine Group and Bastyr University has provided onsite sports medicine support.

Purpose: To retrospectively analyze the injury types and treatment modalities delivered during the 2024 tournament and to evaluate how this data can inform future medical planning and healthcare provider readiness for similar athletic events.

Methods: Over three days (May 25–27, 2024), medical care was administered to athletes at a central treatment station. Interventions included athletic and elastic taping guided by the Manual Tissue Direction Test, soft tissue release, joint manipulation, concussion assessments (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-6), and first aid. Treatment data were collected and categorized by body region, treatment type, and day.

Results: A total of 664 injury-related treatments were provided to more than 300 athletes. The most common interventions were elastic taping of the lower extremities and athletic taping of the ankles and knees. The left ankle, right shoulder, and lumbar spine were the most frequently treated areas. Ten concussions were assessed using Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-6, and two athletes were referred for suspected fractures. A trend of cumulative fatigue was observed, with increased spinal and shoulder complaints by Day 3.