player safety
High school football player’s life saved with AED
A Minnesota high school football player had his life saved with an AED after collapsing during a recent football practice. Sixteen-year-old Keegan Hawke had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during practice for his Stillwater High... more »
New study on avoiding shoulder injuries in elite swimmers
As Australian swimming athletes proved their conviction with terrific success at the Paris 2024 Games, Griffith University researchers have devised a new strategy to help athletes avoid one of the most common injuries in competitive... more »
New technology aids athletic trainers in monitoring concussions
A new technology is helping high school athletic trainers in Minnesota monitor concussions. Sway utilizes smartphones to establish an athlete’s baselines before the season, which trainer Jonathan Murillo said is used to compare their condition... more »
Optimizing recovery time after a sports injury
Recovery from a sports injury depends on many factors, most importantly the type and severity. But no matter the injury, it’s important to give yourself time to fully heal before rushing back to competition or... more »
How sports-related stress affects college student-athletes’ nutrition habits
A recent study suggests that when college athletes are not taking care of their nutrition, they suffer failures both in the classroom and on the field. Emily Lundstrom and Nancy authored the study, 'Interrelationships between... more »
ADHD, anxiety meds may increase risk of heat-related illnesses
On the heels of a handful of heat-related deaths in student-athletes, athletic trainers are searching for answers. With more and more student-athletes taking prescribed ADHD and anxiety medication, healthcare professionals are looking into a possible... more »
Study: a mild concussion will not lead to long-term cognitive decline
According to a recent study, a single, mild concussion while playing athletics does not lead to long-term cognitive decline. The conclusion from this study, entitled 'Sports-related Concussion Not Associated with Long-Term Cognitive or Behavioral Deficits,'... more »
West Virginia holds ‘concussion discussion’ in wake of middle schooler’s death
Following the untimely death of a middle school football player, West Virginia coaches, administrators, and parents gathered late last week to discuss concussion prevention and other steps the state can take to improve player safety... more »
Atrium Health partners with Greg Olsen Foundation to donate AEDs to Charlotte area
Atrium Health is making a substantial donation of life-saving devices to every partnering school in the greater Charlotte area. With the support of the Greg Olsen Foundation, and in partnership with DeFibtech, the donation of... more »
Study looks into the correlation of sleep and mental health of athletes
A new study from Flinders University has shed light on the prevalence of sleep and mental health disorders among athletes, suggesting a pressing need for better support systems within sports organizations. Almost 1,000 athletes from... more »
Early sports education can help development in children
Sports has always been considered a microcosm for life. The lessons learned between the lines can stay with young athletes for a lifetime. But the development of sports education in children goes far beyond just... more »
Death of players sparks safety in youth football debate
The death of two young football players in late August sparked yet another conversation about the safety of youth football. A 13-year-old middle school player died from brain trauma during a practice, but his father,... more »
Alabama lawmakers seek to expand grant to attract athletic trainers
Alabama isn't the only state facing a shortage of available and well-trained athletic trainers. But the state is addressing the issue by proposing the expansion of a new grant. Chris King, the chair of the... more »
Sway App could change the way concussions are evaluated and tracked
A new app may change the way concussions are evaluated for athletes at all levels. The Sway App helps identify athletes in need of medical care for concussions, facilitating better recovery and safer returns to... more »
Fueling the busy student-athlete
Student-athletes have a lot on their plates. But that should be even more reason to ensure they are fueling properly to perform at their peak. For a recent story with Kettering Health, Dr. Cindy Cassell,... more »
Are you more likely to suffer a concussion on grass or artificial turf?
Are concussions more likely to occur on grass fields or artificial turf? A recent study of Texas middle and high school football players sought to answer that very question. The study found that football athletes... more »
Considerations for ankle bracing
When an athlete injures an ankle, it is usually either a fracture of one of the bones or a sprain – which there are three distinct types – Grade 1,2, or 3 of any ligaments... more »
KU Well-Fit Center for Youth Wellness and Fitness will take STEM approach
The Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) has announced the opening of Well-Fit|Center for Youth Wellness and Fitness. The center is based on the principle that youths should be provided knowledge and skills through STEM learning... more »
UR Medicine treating growing demand for Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery is gaining more popularity, but experts suggest it’s not always easy to bounce back from. Connor Osier is a senior pitcher for Greece Athena High School. He’s committed to playing college baseball... more »
Instituting an emergency action plan
An emergency action plan (EAP) is critical for every venue at which practice sessions, conditioning activities, and competitive events are conducted. An EAP is a written document that outlines procedures to be implemented and personnel... more »
Make baseline testing a requirement to help prevent concussions
Take every bit of technology, every ounce of knowledge, and enact every piece of legislation. You're still not going to prevent concussions. That doesn't mean we should stop trying to diminish the number of head... more »
Evaluating and preventing MCL injuries in athletes
The knee is one of the most frequently injured joints in the body, primarily because it has poor bony stability and relies on ligaments and muscles for its stability. Because the knee is situated between... more »
Keeping the shoulder healthy
The importance of normal shoulder function is generally unappreciated until routine daily activities become difficult to perform. Has your star pitcher ever indicated having felt something give in the shoulder while pitching in a game... more »
21 tips on reducing sports injuries
“Redux” means brought back or restored. The word is appropriate, as we have moved from a pre-1960 attitude of “sports injuries are part of the game,” to becoming aware that there are ways to lower... more »
The telltale signs of heat-related illness in student-athletes
With summer right around the corner, it's important to keep in mind the signs of heat-related illness in your student-athletes. Each year, an estimated 240 people die from heat-related illnesses, and heat stroke is the... more »
Maine Athletics unveil new fueling station
Maine Athletics, in conjunction with Hannaford Supermarkets, is excited to officially announce the opening of the Black Bears Fueling Station in Memorial Gymnasium. "We are excited to continue to enhance the student-athlete experience at UMaine... more »
Study: suicide second-leading cause of death for college athletes
University of Washington researchers have shared the findings from a 20-year study on the mental health of college student-athletes. The findings show that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college-aged student-athletes with the... more »
Michigan bill would require public schools to have AEDs
Michigan lawmakers have brought forth a series of bills that would require schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and an emergency action plan around student-athletes suffering a cardiac event. Earlier this week, the Michigan... more »
Study suggests mental health struggles prolong concussion recovery time
Researchers from the Minds Matter Concussion Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that youth with pre-existing mental health diagnoses experienced a greater burden from emotional symptoms after concussion, as well as a prolonged time to... more »
Research shows effects of head impacts on the brain
Dalhousie University neuroscience researchers are investigating how head impacts lead to injuries in football players. Preliminary findings show that the intensity of a single hit doesn't have as much of an impact as the accumulation... more »
