July/August 2019 - 4

EDITORIAL between the lines
consider creating a
SPORTS SAFETY
SYMPOSIUM
By Kevin Hoffman, Editorial Director
Nothing is more important than the
safety of our student-athletes. So why don't
we invest more time educating them and
their parents about health, injury prevention
and the risks that come with playing sports?
Few subjects are more complex than
the world of sports medicine. Yet, when it
comes to sharing this knowledge, schools
typically do so with handouts and website links. There's no
engagement, and if parents or their children have questions, it
can be difficult to get answers.
School districts can solve this problem by creating a
sports safety symposium, welcoming anyone interested in or
committed to participating in athletics.
Here are some topics to cover:
* Injury prevention/rehab efforts. Highlight the school's
efforts to keep athletes healthy. Allow for the strength and
conditioning coach to go through some of the programs used
to prevent injuries. This shows that the school is proactive in
addition to reactive.
* Role of the athletic trainer. Showing that the school has
a certified professional on site goes a long way in alleviating
parental concerns. Give the athletic trainer some time to
discuss their responsibilities within the program.
* Latest research. The number of studies published each year
attempting to shed light on injuries and recovery can be head
spinning. Invite someone from a local hospital or university
to discuss the research that's most relevant and what it
means for athletes.
* Heat acclimatization. Summer workouts come with risks.
Review heat acclimatization guidelines, proper hydration,
and how coaches keep athletes cool in the summer heat.
* Specialization. This consistently ranks among the top three
concerns in high schools. A symposium provides the perfect
setting to discuss the risks that come with specialization and
the benefits of multisport participation.
* Fact versus fiction. Outline the junk science and myths that
might discourage students from athletic participation.
* Concussions. The biggest issue in sports today. This is a
good opportunity to let the athletic trainer engage with
parents and athletic trainers to alleviate potential concerns
and squash misconceptions.
We consistently find that safety is a major barrier to
participation, especially for parents who are protective of their
children. By creating a single event to disseminate accurate
information and ease concerns, schools can take a major step
toward minimizing that problem.
4 JULY/AUGUST 2019
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:
TOM BASS, Former NFL Assistant, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
& San Diego Chargers * DR. DAVID HOCH, Retired Athletic Director, Baltimore
County, MD * ABE WEHMILLER, Director of Athletics, Charlotte Country Day
School, Charlotte, NC * ALAN STEIN, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach,
Nike Elite DeMatha Catholic High School, MD * PETE KITTEL, Principal, Brillion
High School, WI * DARREN FENSTER, Minor League Manager, Boston Red Sox
& Founder/CEO, Coaching Your Kids, LLC, Neptune, NJ * JOSH HILS, Soccer
Coach, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, NH * DR. BRANDEN LIPPY, Athletic
Director, Lampeter-Strasburg High School, Lancaster, PA
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July/August 2019

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