Athlete Health Care

Click on the below link to read an interesting and informative article from the NY Times on the increase in Concussion Clinics in America and advances in Treatments.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/06/sports/concussion-fears-lead-to-growth-in-specialized-clinics-for-young-athletes.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

There are few better brains to pick on the subject of prep sports injuries than the one residing in Dawn Comstock’s head. Eight years ago, the injury epidemiologist joined the faculty at Ohio State University and established as her first major research initiative the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance System — an NFHS-endorsed online tool that hundreds of certified athletic trainers across the country use weekly to report injury exposure and incidents, logging up to 300 distinct variables for each injury in the process. It was the first and remains the only database of its kind. In February, Comstock presented findings from a subset of research that she calls an “exciting” first step in linking neck strength to concussion risk and, potentially, prevention. Data collected on 6,704 student-athletes in six sports (boys’ and girls’ soccer, basketball and lacrosse) indicates that for every single pound of improved neck strength, an individual reduces his or her concussion risk by 5 percent. Paul Steinbach asked Comstock, who settled into an associate professor position at the University of Colorado at Denver that same month, to explain her work and its head-turning results.  To read the entire article from Athletic Business : http://www.athleticbusiness.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=3970&zoneid=55

Due to increased availability of sports physical examination sites in the community, Dublin City Schools: Scioto, Coffman and Jerome, WILL NO LONGER be conducting on school site physical examinations for sports.  Dublin City Schools supports the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics indicating the best site for adolescent health care including sports physical screenings is with their pediatrician or family practice physician. Recognizing this choice is not always possible the Athletic Training staff has collaborated with members of the Dublin medical community to bring you alternative options for Sports Physical Screenings.  Schedule with your pediatrician, your family physician or a community medical site early so you can submit your physical form prior to scheduled team practices.  Prior planning will be invaluable.  Remember no athlete may participate in scheduled practices or games without a current physical on file.  Physical forms are current for one calendar year.  The completed forms with all student and parent signatures are to be turned into your team coach prior to tryouts.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Forms are available at each high school and at the middle schools in the athletic department and in the main office.  The forms are available on line at each high school’s athletic sites: http://www.dublinschools.net/djhsathletics.aspx or under the links to the right on this web site.

See   2012-13 Physical Examination Forms.

You must take the form with you to your chosen physical exam site with all student and parent signatures completed on the form prior to examination.  Parents must complete the Health History and sign the form prior to examination.  Please place your Dublin Student ID on the physical form.

TO SEE ALTERNATIVE LISTINGS:  VISIT THE LINK   ALTERNATIVE PHYSICAL EXAM INFORMATION

Ohio House Bill 143 goes into effect in April.  This Bill gives specific guidelines to be followed by coaches, referees and administrators working with  School and Youth Sports.  It also mandates specific education requirements for coaches, parents, and participants prior to participating.

The Concussion Information link on the right side of this page will provide parents with an Information Sheet as well as a signature page which needs to be completed and returned to the school prior to your child participating in sports here at Jerome.  Please fill out the form and return it to your child’s coach prior to their sport season beginning. The form is also listed on the Jerome Athletic Website under forms to be completed. http://www.dublinschools.net/djhsathletics.aspx

For more information on the Law, please Google  search for OHIO House Bill 143.

Dublin City Schools is already in compliance with the guidelines for coaching education, concussion management and return to activity procedures associated with this new Law.  We have also been educating parents and athletes on these procedures.  The biggest update will be requiring parents to sign off on the Concussion Information Sheet and returning it prior to their child’s participation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Athlete Health Care Staff.

Another article from Athletic Business Journal Which discusses limiting the amount of hitting in Football in off-season workouts.   The Sports Legacy Institute  is featured in this article.  To read more, Click on the link below:

http://www.athleticbusiness.com/editors/blog/default.aspx?id=1067&t=Group-Calls-for-End-to-FullContact-Hits

Researchers at Virginia Tech are expanding their research beyond football helmets…. This article from Athletic Business Journal states that they plan to have similar research on Hockey, Lacrosse and Baseball/Softball helmets by 2016.   To read the complete article, click on the link below.

http://www.athleticbusiness.com/editors/blog/default.aspx?id=1066

This is an article from Athletic Business Journal which identifies a new test that may be able to identify Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in live patients.   Prior to this test,  CTE could only be identified by studying the brain tissue during an autopsy.

Excerpts from the article:

The investigators say more research is needed on their method of using a low-dose radioactive compound developed at UCLA to mark evidence of CTE — the accumulation of tau protein in brain cells. But it might be a significant step toward detecting, treating and preventing CTE.

The study is based on research at UCLA headed by Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences. Bailes and Small collaborated in launching the study.”We’ve got to do more studies,” said Small, lead author. “What we’re hoping is that we’ll be able to test new treatments and have better ways of diagnosing problems earlier. We’re looking toward preventive treatments to protect them rather than repair the damage.”

The researchers used a marking compound developed at UCLA for Alzheimer’s research. A PET scan was used to spot tau protein in the brains of the five players.”What was really striking in this study was that the areas of the brain that showed the deposits were identical to that seen in the autopsy studies of patients with CTE,” Small said.Pending further research, Bailes said, widespread screening of players could be merited.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, USE THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.athleticbusiness.com/articles/lexisnexis.aspx?lnarticleid=1821003779&lntopicid=136030023

The need for communication between athletics and academics in the management of concussions continues to be in the news…  This link will take you to an article highlighting a system in Arizona which is recognizing the need for a TEAM approach to concussion management.

Dublin City Schools utilizes a TEAM  approach which includes our guidance counselors, school nurse,  athletic trainers, physicians and our intervention specialists.  Our goal with any documented concussion is to provide the student with a plan to return to activity, both academic and athletic in a safe manner.   For more information on our Dublin program, please contact anyone on the Athlete Health Care Staff.

http://www.athleticbusiness.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=3949&zoneid=55

Interesting article from the NY Times….

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/health/scant-proof-is-found-to-back-up-claims-by-energy-drinks.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130102

The Saint Brigid Athletic Association (SBAA), in conjunction with The Cardinal Orthopaedic Institute, is proud to present:

The 2012 Concussion Symposium

Saturday, August 25th

8am-11am

Saint Brigid of Kildare School

This is an open invitation to anyone interested in this important topic.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, AUGUST 16!

Safety starts with Education

Concussion is a common term, but most people (including coaches) have only a rudimentary understanding of what it actually is. The better this injury is understood, the better it can be treated – or even prevented in the first place.

Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity, so it is important that everyone – coaches, parents, and athletes alike – understand the signs and symptoms and know what to do if a concussion occurs. The SBAA has arranged to bring in national experts to discuss:

• General concussion education – what they are, how they can occur, and what this injury does to the brain
• Signs of concussion
• Concussion procedures and treatment
• Best practices for reduction in injuries
• Current technology and equipment for prevention

Featured Speakers

The scheduled keynote speakers are:

Michael W. Collins, PhD

Board Member, ImPACT Applications, Inc.
Director, UPMC Sports Concussion Program

Full bio

Jonathan French, PsyD.

Neuropsychologist; Clinical Instructor
UPMC Sports Medicine

Full bio

Registration is required for entry. A suggested donation amount of $10 is greatly appreciated (all funds will go to improve student athletic programs). Register now!