The only not-for-profit, national organization that provides education and drives expanded awareness around the role of multi-disciplinary care in the recognition, management and prevention of sports-related injuries. Introducing opportunities for optimized health that enhance athletic performance, Athletic TIPS^™ offers education and community workshops designed for amateur athletes K-12 through college, as well as their parents, coaches, athletic trainers, and educators. Athletic TIPS^™ implements grass roots initiatives in communities from coast-to-coast and potentially abroad.

Why become a TIPS-Certified?

Certification empowers doctors to effectively conduct community workshops on the following topics:

• Preventing Dehydration and Heat-related Conditions
• Nutrition in Sports Management
• Recognizing, Managing and Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Concussion Recognition and Prevention

Athletic TIPS^™ provides its certified instructors with all the materials needed:

• Athletic TIPS Playbook^™ to support scheduling workshops year-round in local communities
• Presentations, scripts and supportive materials for each community workshop that you schedule at a school, recreation center or other local setting
• Complete marketing program, which offers support in public relations, social media and community outreach

How to become TIPS-Certified?

The F4CP and ChiroCredit.com makes it easy! Certification requires doctors to participate in an eight-hour Athletic TIPS^™ Online Certification Course (CE and Non CE Versions Available).

Course Outline - 8 hours Online Audiovisual Presentations

Part 1. Recognizing, Managing and Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries

This program first investigates the many possible causes for musculoskeletal injuries in athletes, from age and gender-related factors, to environmental ones and to sports-specific factors. Strategies for identifying those at risk prior to injury are stressed and preventive interventions are provided. This session ends with a discussion related to sports performance enhancement.

• Understand how athletes get injured
• Learn how to prevent injuries
• Learn how to manage common sports-related injuries

Part 2. Nutrition in Sports Management

In this program, the needs of the body are defined, including its caloric needs, its need for carbohydrates, protein and fat, and its water needs. The nutritional preparation for sports activity is described in detail, and there is an emphasis on pre- and post-game nutrition, as well as long-term preparation for activity.

• Learn the importance of nutrition for health and athletic performance
• Understand what the body needs to perform at its best
• Discover which foods are best pre- and post-activity

Part 3. Preventing Dehydration and Heat-Related Conditions

This program will define heat-related conditions, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Common misconceptions related to heat conditions will be explored. The program then looks at dehydration, its causes and effects. Those at higher risk of developing heat-related problems are described and special issues related to heat problems in children are noted. Different strategies to reduce the risk of heat-related problems are provided to the attendee.

• Recognize signs of dehydration and heat-related conditions
• Learn how to prevent dehydration and heat-related conditions
• Learn re-hydration strategies

Part 4. Concussion: Concussion Prevention and Recognition

This section of the program will first define concussion and note the importance of observation by coaches, parents, educators and athletes. It will describe actions to take if concussion is suspected and will define the issues needed to be examined for return to work and play. Preventive measures will be stressed and the global impact of concussion described. This area of study is of increasing importance in sports management and an issue under study by the National Football League, among others.

• Define concussion
• Understand signs and symptoms of a concussion
• Know what to do when concussion is suspected

Submit Documents

Once you complete the course, you will need to submit the following to Marta Cerdan at Marta@f4cp.com.

1. F4CP membership verification (must be Foundation or Premium member)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Copy of state license
4. Completion and passing at 70% of a cumulative exam (for those who take the online course, submission of the "certificate of completion" is sufficient)
5. Upon completion of the course you will be given a TIPS logo that can be added to your website noting your completion of the course. If you are a Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Foundation or Premium level member, we can also add the TIPS logo to your Find-A-Doctor Directory listing.

To learn more, visit http://www.f4cp.com/athletic-tips/