All Articles by Brooke de Lench

Screening Athletes For Heart Conditions: Debate Continues

The death of young, seemingly healthy, athletes from undetected heart problems often generates considerable media attention and re-ignites the debate over the optimal approach to screening young competitive athletes for heart problems to minimize death from sudden cardiac arrest.

Post-Concussion Strategies for the Classroom

A concussion often affects a student-athlete's thinking, ability to remember (especially new information), and organization, so that academic accommodations may be needed. Here are some post-concussion strategies for the classroom to help maximize the ability to focus, stay organized, and remember important information during the recovery process.

Assaults on Youth Sports Referees: When Will They Stop?

Every day when I come to work one of the first things I do is check the e-mails I get from parents and coaches all across the country with stories from newspapers about youth sports, including one from Moms Team expert, Doug Abrams.

Multiple Concussion History Linked to Continuing Symptoms

Student athletes with a multiple concussion history are significantly more likely to experience continuing concussion-related symptoms such as headache, balance problems, dizziness than their peers with a history of one or no concussions, finds a new study to be published in the journal Neurosurgery.

Fresh Ideas For Growing a Youth Sports Program

Looking for ways to grow your local youth sports program? MomsTeam founder and publisher Brooke de Lench has some suggestions on registration, advertising, cross-promotion, and making sports programs more family-friendly, especially in these tough economic times when the cost of sports may be impeding full participation.

Energy Drinks Pose Serious Health Risks to Children,Teens and Young Adults Says New Study

Energy drinks may pose a risk for serious adverse health effects in some children, especially those with diabetes, seizures, cardiac abnormalities or mood and behavior disorders, says a new study in the March 2011 issue of Pediatrics. Reviewing data gleaned from a meta-search of the medical literature via PubMed (an online data base of medical journals) and print and trade media via Google, researchers at the University of Miami conclude that energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit to children, and both the known and unknown properties of the ingredients, combined with reports of toxicity, may put some children at risk for adverse health events.

Polluted Air at Ice Rinks Is Dangerous to Athletes' Health

Attention hockey moms and dads: the air you and your children are breathing at the rink may be hazardous to your health. The culprit:  gas-, diesel- and propane-powered ice resurfacing machines which spew out a toxic stew of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, all which can result in potentially serious short- and long-term health problems.

Defunding of Texas Steroid Testing Program A Chance to Consider Better Ways for Schools To Spend Money on Sports

A recent article in the Boston Globe reported that a controversial steroid testing program of high school athletes in Texas is in danger of being de-funded, as the state House budget has cut the money for the program.  The Senate draft still includes funding for the program.  Florida eliminated a small testing program in 2009.  New Jersey and Illinois also have statewide programs.

Was The Welker Benching During the Patriots-Jets Playoff Game a Teachable Moment?

On Sunday, the New England Patriots met their bitter rivals, the New York Jets, for the third time this season, with the winner advancing to the AFC Championship game. The Pats had only lost two games all season, were unbeaten at Gillette Stadium, and were heavy favorites to not only beat the Jets but to go all the way to and win the Super Bowl in Dallas in early February.

But it didn't go according to plan. Bill Belichick's team played poorly, the Jets played well, and the result was a shocking 28-21 loss by New England to Rex Ryan's Jets.

As painful as the loss has been for Pats fans, it nevertheless provides a great "teachable moment" for parents to talk about with their young athletes around the dinner table.

Indiana Teen Unfairly Kicked Off Basketball Team Because Of Length Of His Hair

Last October, 14-year-old Austin Hayden earned a place on his Greensburg, Indiana middle school boys' basketball team.  A week later, he was told he could no longer be a member of the team after refusing to cut his hair (which was long, but not long enough to pull into a pony-tail) to comply with the coach's policy, which required that his hair be above his collar and ears.