Health & Safety

It is important for parents and athletes to be on the same page as the coaches and medical staff on the subject of concussions in sports. The best way is for the coach to hold a concussion education and safety meeting for parents and athletes before every season.

Blowing cool, dry air flowing under and through football shoulder pads reduces core
body temperature and heart rate dramatically, thereby reducing the likelihood of heat illness,
says a 2008 study.

While deaths of football players from heat stroke are down (with only one during 2012-2013, compared to 5 in 2011 alone), eat stroke is an ever present concern in the sport because, according to an 2008 study by researchers at University of Florida, there are eight factors that make football players especially vulnerable to heat illness.

Reconstructive ACL surgery on young athletes using replacement ligaments from cadavers have high failure rate.

Now that summer is here, ticks are active. Parents need to take precautions, as ticks can spread several diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and others. Incidences of each disease vary by region, but the techniques for lowering your chance of contracting any tick-borne disease are the same.

Three studies of MRSA among Texas high school football players conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services appear to suggest that those who play on artificial turf are at increased risk.

The SCAT3 is a standardized method of evaluating injured athletes for concussion ages 13 years and older. Although designed for use by medical and health professionals, it includes advice for athletes and parents about signs to watch for in the first 24 to 48 hours after suspected concussion and a list of other important points, including the need for rest and avoiding strenuous activity, and not training or playing sport until medically cleared.