New Jersey Athletic Trainers To Hold Third Annual Sports Safety Summit

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Fri, 07/13/2012 - 13:56. | comments

MomsTEAM has consistently supported athletic trainers' groups, both at the national (NATA) and state level, in their efforts to improve youth sports safety, both through education and by advocating for ATs in every high school (less than half of U.S. high schools have an AT on staff, although the percentages vary dramatically from state to state).

One of the most active athletic trainers' association at the state level is in New Jersey, which was the first state to require by law that coaches receive safety training, is among the 40 states that have enacted strong youth concussion safety laws, and has been a leader in advocating for academic accommodations for concussed student-athletes.

Athletic trainers are essential to making youth sports as safe as it can be. Educational programs, such as the Athletic Trainers Society of New Jersey's third annual sports safety summit on August 1, 2012 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, are important to educating health care professionals on safety issues, including concussions, heat illness, sudden cardiac death and overuse injuries.

Brooke de Lench

The Best NFL Player Who Never Was

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 13:23. | comments

There will be times in our lives that we have an opportunity to listen to a motivational speaker whose story is so powerful that it leaves an indelible impression to last a lifetime. JK Parker and Brooke de Lench

Recently, I had that opportunity when I heard John “JK” Parker speak to a high school football team in Oklahoma with which MomsTEAM is working to develop a concussion management program.

There will be times in our lives that we have an opportunity to listen to a motivational speaker whose story is so powerful that it leaves an indelible impression to last a lifetime. Recently, I had that opportunity when I heard John “JK” Parker speak to a high school football team in Oklahoma about how the use of performance enhancing drugs deprived him of a chance at NFL stardom.

Concussion Signs and Symptoms: Delayed Onset More Common in Children, Teens

Not every young athlete who suffers a concussion playing sports will exhibit signs and/or symptoms of concussion immediately after injury, so parents always need to be on the lookout for a delayed onset of symptoms, says a top sports concussion expert.

Sports Drinks: Clearing Up The Confusion

Parents in a recent study were unsure about whether sports drinks were appropriate and under what circumstances. So MomsTEAM asked a sports dietitian and mom to clear up the confusion. Here's what she told us.

Ahead of the Game: The Parents' Guide to Youth Sports Concussion

Rosemarie Scolaro Moser's book, Ahead of the Game: The Parent's Guide to Youth Sports Concussion (University Press of New England) is just what it says it is: a practical, no-nonsense guide for parents about sport concussions.

Reviewed by Brooke de Lench

Keeping Children Safe On July 4th: Stay Away From Fireworks!

Fireworks are a traditional part of Independence Day celebrations, but they can also be dangerous. Sadly, children and teens are too often hurt by fireworks. So, before the celebration begins, here are some EyeSmart fireworks safety tips from the Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

Preventing Head Injuries in Football: No Tackling With Crown Of Helmet!

Submitted by Bobby Hosea on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 20:43. | comments

In the four years I have been sharing my expertise on how to prevent helmet-crown related injuries in football, there has been an increase of concussion awareness here on MomsTeam and all over the country. But such steps as baseline concussion testing are meaningless if the cause of the initial concussion is not addressed, because the player will suffer a more severe concussion without identifying the cause.

The way to prevent concussions and serious head and spinal injuries in football is for parents to make sure that coaches are trained on how to teach players to avoid tackling with the crown of their helmets.

Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics (Handout)

Pre-season heat acclimatization guidelines handout.

Pre-Season Heat Safety Guidelines for High School Sports: States Have Been Slow To Act

Six years after a joint task force of medical groups issued pre-season heat acclimatization guidelines, only 13 state high school athletic associations have moved to adopt them.

Emily Cohen

Spectators Must Assume Risk at Youth Sporting Events

Submitted by Emily Cohen on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 22:25. | comments

So it's come to this. A woman hit by a ball while sitting near a Little League diamond two years ago is suing the then-11-year-old player who threw the ball. Elizabeth Lloyd's lawsuit alleges that the errant throw was "intentional and reckless." According to Lloyd, the player, Matthew Migliaccio (now 13) "assaulted and battered" her and caused "severe, painful and permanent" injuries. Really? Assault and battery? Intentional? Can you see my eyes roll? And that's just the first count.

So it's come to this. A woman hit by a ball while sitting near a Little League diamond two years ago is suing the then-11-year-old player who threw the ball.

Health & Safety