POCUS and the Athletic Trainer

“The biggest trend is the innovation that is happening on the clinical side of Athletic Training, right now. It’s integrating a lot of the imaging technology that allows us to do a better job.”- Skylar Richards, Director of Sports Science & Head Athletic Trainer at FC Dallas. Listen as Skylar Richards discusses his use of point-of-care ultrasound in role as an Athletic Trainer. Starting in the MLS in 2007, Skylar’s primary focus is not the classic sports science approach but injury prevention through detection and recovery strategies. These strategies focus on increased training availability, not load management. In 2015 he organized various club partnership to open the first US professional soccer recovery lab integrating daily recovery, prevention, integrated soft tissue mobilization, nutrition, and anti-inflammatory modalities. An ATC, FMS, and massage therapist over seeing 4 athletic trainers, sports nutritionist, massage therapists, chiropractors, and sports scientists for all FCD teams, u12-18 Team and the pro team. Career highlights: 2006 Missouri Valley conference championship 2006 Missouri Valley tournament championship 2006 Frontier League Championship 2008 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supporters Shield Championship 2008 MLS Cup championship 2009 MLS Supporters Shield Championship 2016 US Open Cup Championship 2016 Supporters Shield Championship