Rules Dictate When an Injured Player Leaves the Court, but Common Sense Should Rule When a Player Returns- But Does It?

Ivy League Football: A Trailblazer in Concussion Prevention, Says Penn's Laudano

New rules in place by the Ivy League for the 2011 football season - including a reduction in the number of full-contact practices and drills - were designed to protect student-athletes from subconcussive hits considered a possible cause of long-term brain injury,

Training Program Can Reduce Female ACL Injury Risk, Improve Athletic Performance

Two ACL injury prevention programs significantly reduce injury rates among female athletes while improving athletic performance, says a 2011 study. Experts hope the findings will lead to greater compliance with training and widespread adoption of intervention programs.

Preventing ACL Injuries In Female Athletes: Team Approach Worked

Working collaboratively, a team of physical therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, head coaches, and athletic trainers designed an ACL injury prevention program that has reduced the incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among female athletes at the University of Pennsylvania, says the school's head athletic trainer, Eric Laudano, M.H.S., ATC.

Return to Play Criteria Designed To Minimize Risk of Re-Injury

Return to sports after an injury is a stepwise process, says Eric Laudano, M.H.S., ATC, head athletic trainer at the University of Pennsylvania, designed to minimize the chances of re-injury.

Knowing When Athlete Psychologically Ready To Return To Play

In determining when an athlete is ready psychologically ready to return to play, communication between the athlete and the athletic training staff, coaches, parents is critical.

Return to Play: Psychological Readiness Just As Important

An athlete's psychological readiness is just as important for a return to sports as their physical recovery from injury, says Eric Laudano, head athletic trainer at the University of Pennsylvania, especially for long-term injuries.

Barbara Bleiweis

Rules Dictate When an Injured Player Leaves the Court, but Common Sense Should Rule When a Player Returns- But Does It?

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Thu, 12/22/2011 - 19:23. | comments

Player safety as it relates to removal of a player upon sustaining a concussion is receiving much-needed attention by teams, as well as officials. Basketball rules, as set forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), are clear: the official shall remove a player if he/she is displaying symptoms of a concussion, and the player can return to the game only if/when cleared by a medical professional.

When is it medically okay to return to the basketball court after injury, versus when does it truly makes sense to do so? There's a big difference.