United States Sports Academy
America's Sports University^®

NCCSIR, The National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research 26th Annual Report

www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi

Lara McKenzie, PhD at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Sports_50/Number_of_Serious_Injuries_in_Gymnastics_Rival_Those_in_Ice_Hockey.shtml

Kate Stinchfield, TIME, Heath Section. Little Athletes, Big Injuries. February 25, 2008. Pg 51.

NCSF, National Cheer Safety Foundation

www.cheerinjuryreport.com

NATA – National Athletic Trainers’ Association Journal of Athletic Training

www.nata.org

NCSF, National Cheer Safety Foundation

www.cheerinjuryreport.com

NCCSIR, The National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research 26th Annual Report

www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi

NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association

www.ncaa.org

SGMA, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association

www.sgma.com

Dr. Martha Murray, Orthopedic Surgeon for Children’s Hospital Boston.

http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2007/02/12/focus4-Surgeon-makes-gel-gun-to-heal-female-athletes-injuries.html

CDC, Center for Disease Control, Heads Up Program.

http://sportsinjuries.suite101.com/article.cfm/concussions_in_youth_sports

US high school girl soccer players suffered 29,167 concussions in 2005-06. That is 8,238 more than US high school boy soccer players at 20,929.

Sean Gregory, Head Games. LIFE Magazine. 2007

Researchers say due to the increase in sports participation, increase in year round play and multi-sports along with parents putting a tremendous amount of pressure on young athletes to compete is the main reason these injuries are on a rise. The young athletes do not get a chance to rest. The underlying cause is lack of regulation protocol.

Kin Dixon, REUTERS, Overuse sports injuries widespread in kids: doctors. Yahoo New, February 15, 2007

There are 38,000 sports-related eye injuries in the United States each year that require a trip to the emergency room. 90% of these injuries are preventable. Making sports protective eyewear a part of athletic uniforms can significantly reduce the potential of eye injuries. Protective eyewear must be made of the proper materials and fitted correctly. Here’s what to look for when choosing protective eyewear.

1. Padded or rubber bridges to keep the goggles comfortable.
2. Deep-grooved eyewear to keep the lenses from popping out of the frames.
3. A face-formed shape to provide a wider field of view.
4. Headband attachments to keep the frames from slipping.
5. Lenses made from polycarbonate, a type of clear plastic that is impact resistant.
6. 100% ultraviolet (UV) protection and scratch-resistant coating.

Vision Council of America & National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE), Check Yearly, See Clearly. Sports Protective Eyewear Fact Sheet and Safety Kit. August 2007.

Coaches have the responsibility to keep their athletes safe while their athletes are participating within their given sport or activity; whether it is during practice or competition. Performing this responsibility should be done in a systematic manner to ensure that the coach does not forget any detail. The following Safety Tip can help keep this responsibility in check:

• S = Supervision and proper instruction must be present at all times.
• A = Aid and appropriate planning & response to emergencies must be present at all times.
• F = Facilities must be maintained and checked daily for possible hazards.
• E = Equipment must be maintained and checked daily for possible hazards.

Clover, Jim. Sports Medicine Essentials. 2nd Edition. Thomson / Delmar Learning (2007). Chapter 4: Ethical and Legal Considerations, Pg. 68

Heat-related illnesses are very preventable. The key is balancing major factors that influence body temperature. All factors below need to be addressed:

1. Require all athletes to have a pre-participation physical
2. Monitor and identify athletes who are prone: previous heat illness, overweight, heavy muscled, deconditioned
3. Monitor weather conditions and adjust practice
4. Acclimate athletes to exercise in the heat
5. Switch to light clothing and less equipment
6. Strictly enforce adequate hydration
7. Replenish electrolytes lost through sweat
8. Keep your athletes fit and know their physical limitations
9. Prohibit use of sweatboxes, vinyl suits, diuretics, or other articicial means of quick weight loss

Flegel, Melinda J. Sport First Aid. 4th Edition. Human Kinetics (2008). Chapter 11: WeatherRelated Problems, Pg.137-139

Note: ** Most lightning-related injuries occur between May and September, and nearly 80% occur between 10AM – 7PM.

1. Check the forecast.
2. Use the 30/30 Lightning Rule & “Flash-to-Bang” Principle. Because light travels faster than sound; and sound also travels about 1mile per 5seconds. It is recommended that you seek shelter if the time from a lightning flash to rumble of thunder is less than 30seconds (6miles). Once in shelter, stay there for 30 minutes.
3. Find safe shelter. A sturdy building.
4. Avoid isolated trees or tall objects.
5. Don’t wait for the rain to seek shelter.
6. Avoid metal objects.
7. Never lie flat on the ground.
8. As a last resort, assume the lightning-safe position. If you feel your hair stand on end, skin tingling and hear crackling noises --- crouch to the ground feet together head lowered in your hands with elbows touching knees. This can create a path for the lightning to the least resistance thru your extremities.

Quinn, Elizabeth. About.com, Your Guide to Sports Medicine. Getting Started and Sticking with Exercise. July 11, 2007.