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Thank you for your interest in the FWATA Free Communications Program!
Thank you for your interest in the FWATA Free Communications Program!
We are committed to the mission of the NATA Research and Education Foundation Free Communications Program to advance the discovery, dissemination, and application of scientific knowledge in athletic training domains through written and oral forum. This mission is realized by communicating scientific knowledge to the athletic training community through the sharing of peer-reviewed original research reports and unique clinical case reports during the FWATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium. All accepted abstracts are presented in poster format.
We are committed to the mission of the NATA Research and Education Foundation Free Communications Program to advance the discovery, dissemination, and application of scientific knowledge in athletic training domains through written and oral forum. This mission is realized by communicating scientific knowledge to the athletic training community through the sharing of peer-reviewed original research reports and unique clinical case reports during the FWATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium. All accepted abstracts are presented in poster format.
In order to participate in the Free Communications Program, the first author* must have:
In order to participate in the Free Communications Program, the first author* must have:
1. Current NATA membership
1. Current NATA membership
* Note: Professional (non-certified) students submitting as first author must provide contact information and NATA membership number for the faculty/AT who mentored them on the project.
To assure the Free Communications program contains current, innovative, and impactful research to the practice of athletic training, all abstracts undergo blind reviewed by at least 2 athletic trainers with specific content area expertise. In order to provide high quality and helpful reviews in an expedient manner, it is essential that all abstracts are well-written, free from spelling and grammatical errors, and contain sufficient detail to enable expert review by our committee.
To assure the Free Communications program contains current, innovative, and impactful research to the practice of athletic training, all abstracts undergo blind reviewed by at least 2 athletic trainers with specific content area expertise. In order to provide high quality and helpful reviews in an expedient manner, it is essential that all abstracts are well-written, free from spelling and grammatical errors, and contain sufficient detail to enable expert review by our committee.
Please read the abstract preparation instructions very carefully to ensure that you choose the correct abstract category and conform to its specific formatting and content requirements. Also, please carefully review the “Common Reasons for Rejection” listed at the end of the General Instructions document.
Please read the abstract preparation instructions very carefully to ensure that you choose the correct abstract category and conform to its specific formatting and content requirements. Also, please carefully review the “Common Reasons for Rejection” listed at the end of the General Instructions document.
General FWATA Free Comm guidelines.pdfGeneral instructions
General instructions
Please read through these instructions carefully in order to understand the abstract categories and submission procedures.
Please read through these instructions carefully in order to understand the abstract categories and submission procedures.
Abstract categories
Abstract categories
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Basic Research 2020.pdfBasic Research
Basic Research
Survey 2020.pdfSurvey Research
Survey Research
Meta-analysis and Systematic Review 2020.pdfSystematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Qualitative 2020.pdfQualitative Research
Qualitative Research
CASE REPORTS
CASE REPORTS
Level 1-3 CASE 2019.pdfLevel 1-3 CASE
Level 1-3 CASE
Level 4 CASE 2019.pdfLevel 4 CASE
Level 4 CASE
Abstract Submission Procedures
Abstract Submission Procedures
- The first/presenting author's contact information must be provided
- The first/presenting author's NATA and NPI numbers must be provided
- Faculty/AT mentor contact information is required for student abstract submissions
- You will be directed to upload your abstract (in Word .docx format)
Name your file: Last Name-FWATA 2026
* Early abstracts submission and evaluations can be accommodated if necessary. Please contact the committee chair for further information. *
Abstracts are due by April 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Abstracts are due by April 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Free Communications Awards Program
Free Communications Awards Program
Poster Presentation Awards
Poster Presentation Awards
The Research and Grants committee members serve as judges and will score each poster on content and presentation. Judges are recused from scoring posters on which they are co-authored or are from their home institution. All judges’ scores are tallied by the FWATA R&G committee chair and the winners are announced during the FWATA Annual Meeting.
The Research and Grants committee members serve as judges and will score each poster on content and presentation. Judges are recused from scoring posters on which they are co-authored or are from their home institution. All judges’ scores are tallied by the FWATA R&G committee chair and the winners are announced during the FWATA Annual Meeting.
The first author must be a member of District 8 to be eligible for an award.
The first author must be a member of District 8 to be eligible for an award.
Student Awards
Student Awards
Student-authored (e.g., undergraduate or professional level athletic training program) abstracts are eligible for a monetary award up-to $300.
Student-authored (e.g., undergraduate or professional level athletic training program) abstracts are eligible for a monetary award up-to $300.
Professional Awards
Professional Awards
The top 3 poster presentations in the professional category will receive recognition. If the first author is a full-time student submitting in the professional category, monetary awards (up-to $300) will also be distributed.
The top 3 poster presentations in the professional category will receive recognition. If the first author is a full-time student submitting in the professional category, monetary awards (up-to $300) will also be distributed.
Clinical Outcome Based Research Award (COBRA)
Clinical Outcome Based Research Award (COBRA)
The Clinical Outcome Based Research Award (COBRA) is intended to encourage clinician-based research in District 8 through the dissemination of Level 1-4 clinical case reports. The COBRA initiative emphasizes our value on disseminating "why we do what we do" and provides Practice-Based Evidence.
The Clinical Outcome Based Research Award (COBRA) is intended to encourage clinician-based research in District 8 through the dissemination of Level 1-4 clinical case reports. The COBRA initiative emphasizes our value on disseminating "why we do what we do" and provides Practice-Based Evidence.
Eligibility:
Eligibility:
• The presenting author must be a member of District 8.
• The presenting author must be a member of District 8.
- If the presenting author is a student, one of the co-authors must be the certified athletic trainer who mentored the student during the project.
- If the presenting author is a student, one of the co-authors must be the certified athletic trainer who mentored the student during the project.
• Submit a Level 1-4 case report which:
• Submit a Level 1-4 case report which:
- Incorporates pre- and post- outcome measures, ideally including a Patient Reported Outcome (PRO)
- Incorporates pre- and post- outcome measures, ideally including a Patient Reported Outcome (PRO)
- Specifies criteria for discharge (i.e., return to activity/sport)
- Specifies criteria for discharge (i.e., return to activity/sport)
High quality submissions may be eligible for monetary awards up-to $500.
High quality submissions may be eligible for monetary awards up-to $500.
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