Athletic Trainers Aid Team USA at BMX World Championships

At the Union Cycliste Internationale BMX World Championships held in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the stakes and speeds were high, with riders reaching up to 30 miles per hour on challenging courses.

The event not only tested the athletes' limits but also the readiness of a dedicated team of Athletic Trainers from Grand Canyon University (GCU), who were crucial in managing the medical emergencies that arose.

Michael McKenney, an associate professor of athletic training at GCU, highlighted the extremity of the injuries witnessed at the event, including multiple fractures and severe wounds. He underscored the high risks involved in the sport:

"That’s how extreme it can get."

Dr. Brandon Warner, Director of Athletic Training at GCU, added,

"For a lot of these kids, it’s the pinnacle of where they’re at. They’re giving it 110%, which is why we see such bad injuries."

The GCU team, comprising McKenney, Warner, assistant professor Marc Eilers, and alumna Rebecca Lambert, provided crucial on-site medical support.

The team was responsible for treating around 1,000 USA BMX athletes throughout the event, dealing with everything from minor injuries to critical emergencies requiring hospital attention. Lambert recalled a severe case: 

"You normally stitch it up and you’re fine. His was deeper, so they sent him to the hospital to get it stitched up in the operating room, but once he got there, his lungs collapsed and he ended up in the ICU."

This wasn't GCU's first rodeo; their involvement with USA BMX started in 2015 and has since become a key component of their athletic training program.

The experience provides invaluable clinical hours and real-world medical training for students and alumni alike.

McKenney praised the support from GCU's leadership, which enables them to bring back cutting-edge practices to the classroom.

The dedication of GCU’s athletic training faculty to their field extends beyond BMX, with members participating in events like the Summer X Games and major basketball showcases.

This integration of fieldwork and academic instruction enriches the learning environment, ensuring that GCU students are well-prepared for the complexities of sports medicine.

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