Smith encourages athletes to eat wisely, stay hydrated and try to have fun!
Danielle Smith, one of two full-time athletic trainers (ATs) at Cheshire Academy, knows a thing or two about concussions. She wrote her senior thesis in the honors program at SUNY Cortland on “neurocognitive effects of concussions on youth athletes” and she works with all 26 of Cheshire Academy’s student teams.
She was a natural as a guest on “It Could Be Your Eyes,” a nationally streamed podcast hosted by Jessica Liedke of 4D Vision Gym, based in Cheshire. Smith spoke to Liedke’s audience of young athletes and their parents, offering tips on recognizing and treating concussions and advice on proper nutrition, hydration and heat illnesses that can be common as summer turns to fall.
Smith, who stays on top of advances in AT by regularly attending professional development events, met Liedke and her team at the 2024 Connecticut Athletic Trainers’ Association symposium. Led by Dr. Juanita Collier, founder and behavioral optometrist, 4D Vision Gym helps those who’ve sustained injuries like concussions with vision therapy using light, hand-eye coordination work, and peripheral vision training, Smith said.
“Athletes who have a concussion might have trouble with their vision,” Smith said. “They work with ophthalmology as part of their practice.”
Cheshire ATs identify and treat about 10 to 15 concussions a year, which Smith said is typical for the number of athletes on campus. While football often logs the most concussions, all athletes can be affected and it’s good to know there are two ATs on campus to evaluate students right away.
“That’s a reassuring thing,” she said.
On the podcast, Smith outlines key tips to help prevent early-season injuries like concussions. Making wise dining choices to fuel an active body, staying hydrated to stave off heat illnesses and maintain electrolyte levels, and aiming for a healthy training regimen are all important.
“And the one thing that often gets lost in this is it’s supposed to be fun,” said Smith, who played college basketball as well as soccer, lacrosse, and basketball at the high school level.
CA’s Fitness & Training program includes Strength and Conditioning Coach Spencer Latran, alongside Smith and fellow AT Erin Koukopoulos, who are trained to work in sports at the secondary, college, and professional levels. In addition to being certified by the National Athletic Training Association’s Board of Certification, they are also licensed in Connecticut. Under the supervision of a physician, they work intensively in the areas of prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation of injuries, and seek out opportunities to help educate CA’s teams on healthy living.
Smith and Koukopoulos provide needed support for busy student-athletes, who have academic, athletic, and community activities of an independent day and boarding school to consider when making health and fitness choices.
“Our protocols tend to be a little more involved because this is a boarding school,” she said.
During pre-season training Smith invited Dave Byrnes, a colleague who is a Gatorade marketing development associate, to campus to present The G Experience, a day of nutrition and sports performance information, complete with free samples for the teams.
Smith’s episode of ‘It Could Be Your Eyes” debuted wherever you find podcasts in September. A first-time podcast guest, she said her time with Liedke was informative and conversational.
“I had so much fun,” she said.
