How to Write a Statement for the ITFF:

Dr. Mendoza asked you to draft a statement on behalf of Lakeshore Hospital’s sports medicine team for the upcoming hearings of the International Track and Field Federation. Research the questions as appropriate so you can write a thorough response to the questions posed by the ITFF, grounding your answer in science that is easy to understand.

1. Review Dr. Mendoza’s email and supporting notes. It may be helpful to print the email and notes and highlight the important points.
   
   
2. Read the questions and determine what is being asked. Meet with your team. Read the questions from the ITFF as well as Dr. Mendoza’s corresponding notes. Start by asking yourselves what exactly you have been asked to do. You may decide to divide up the questions among your team or work on each of them together as a group.
   
   
3. Draft your statement for the ITFF’s hearing.
   
   
   • Use the Resources available to help you understand the science so you can then explain it in your statement to the ITFF. To help you arrive at an answer that will be both thorough and informative, there are several resources available to you. You can review the email and notes from Dr. Mendoza for details on the specifics related to the case before the ITFF as well as some guidance as to the direction the statement should take. Also, you may refer to the FAQ called Your Skeleton and Sports Medicine in the Resources section for information that will help you explain the science behind the questions. For help with writing, you may refer to the General Skills Resources for tips.
     
     
   • Take notes as you do research. You may find that there is a lot of science content to grapple with as you prepare to write the statement for the ITFF hearing. So, as you do your research, it may be helpful to take notes. Once you think you have gathered enough information, organize your notes in a structured way to help you prepare to draft your statement for the ITFF. Work with your team to be sure you all understand the science and agree upon what your answers should be for each question.
     
     
   • Write your response. Remember to directly answer each question posed by the ITFF, grounding your answer in science. Focus your written statement to each on the specific areas that Lee Mendoza mentioned in her email and corresponding notes. Be sure to also include an introduction and conclusion to your statement that appropriately address the complex issues raised by the potential impact of artificial bones on both individual athletic performance and the international athletic community at large. Be as detailed as you can, keeping in mind that your answers should be easy for a layperson (in this case, someone who has no medical knowledge) to understand.
     
     
4. Review Your Work.
   
   
   • Did you provide a thorough response to each question posed by the ITFF?
     
     
   • Did you ground your answers in science?
     
     
   • Did you explain your answers in a way that is easy to understand?
     
     
5. Submit Your Work. Submit your response to your mentor, as directed in the Submit your work section of this task.

When referring to a Wikipedia resource, note that while Wikipedia is a valuable resource, unlike some other websites anyone can contribute to or modify the site (whether they're knowledgeable about the topic or not). As a result, the site is subject to constant change by questionable sources. Be sure to cross-check information on Wikipedia with other reputable sites to ensure accuracy.

Your Skeleton and Sports Medicine – This FAQ on the human skeletal system and its role in sport medicine. It explains the role of various parts of the skeleton in holding the body together and details what happens to the body when those different parts are damaged.

Lever Examples – As you review Your Skeleton and Sports Medicine, you may want to refer to these graphical examples of levers.

What is the Femur? – This page from Wikipedia provides an overview of the femur along with several images depicting its detailed anatomy.

Illustration of the Femur – This page illustrates the human thigh bone.

Illustration of the Iliopsoas Muscles – This illustration shows the right femur and iliopsoas muscles (in red) on a normal body. Where these muscles press against the femur is a large tendonous region. The case in question would move the tendonous region and iliopsoas muscles slightly downward (in the direction of the foot).

What is the Fosbury Flop? – This page from Wikipedia explains the high jump technique known as the “Fosbury flop” first used by Dick Fosbury in the 1968 Summer Olympics.

High Jump Photo Sequence – This page includes a series of photographs that illustrate the distinct steps in the “Fosbury flop” high jump process.