Components of a Safe Athletics Program

Question 1

things needed for a safe athletics program

Answer 1

• ppe
• health insurance
• acceptance of risk
• planning/supervision
• safe environments
• equipment
• minimizing liability
• equitable care
• equipment
• BBP
• facilities
• preseason preparation

Question 2

other things needed

Answer 2

• security and safety plan
• emergency care
• catastrophic incident plan
• concussion management plan
• drug testing
• legislation

Question 3

Preseason Preparation

Answer 3

• the athlete should be protected from premature exposure to the full rigors of sports
• conditioning should get athlete ready for first practice
• athlete may have to prepare on their own
• should include educational component

Question 4

Preseason prep

Answer 4

• six to eight weeks is ideal
• 10-14 days of heat acclimation
• gradual progression: type, frequency, intensity, duration and recovery of training

Question 5

PPE

Answer 5

• required upon entering an athletics program
• purpose: identify athletes that may be at risk
• establishes a baseline
• satisfies insurance and liability issues
• conducted by MD or DO

Question 6

PPE effectiveness

Answer 6

• identify disease or processes that will affect the athlete
• be sensitive and accurate
• be practical and affordable

Question 7

PPE includes

Answer 7

• physical exam
• medical history
• orthopedic screening
• immunization history
• cardio, neuro, and musculo eval

Question 8

Physical Exam includes

Answer 8

• ht/wt
• BP/pulse
• skin
• ear nose throat eye
• heart/lungs
• abdomen
• lymphatic and genitalia

Question 9

Cardiovascular screening

Answer 9

• SCD is leading medical cause of death in NCAA and reps 75% of all sudden death cases
• AHA recommends CV screening as part of the PPE
• subsequent years, history and BP should be taken
• changes in status or abnormalities will require a more formal CV eval

Question 10

How to CV screen

Answer 10

• stand/supine auscultation
• sitting brachial BP
• screening for marina’s syndrome

Question 11

Marfan’s Syndrome

Answer 11

• a hereditary degenerative disorder of CT bones, muscles. and ligaments
• symptoms: tall lean body type, dilation of ascending aorta, abnormal joint mobility, flat feet, scoliosis, dislocation of optic lens, ocular problems, joint mobility
• treatment is symptomatic
• advised to not participate in collision or contact sports

Question 12

Orthopedic exam

Answer 12

• can be done by an ATC or other qualified personnel
• ROM
• flexibility
• muscle strength
• joint motion and stability
• orthopedic special tests
• body comp
• dental
• maturity (high school)
• wellness screening

Question 13

Maturity assessment

Answer 13

• protect young, physically active athletes
• sexual maturity
• skeletal assessment
• dental dam
• last bones to ossify are facial around age 21-22

Question 14

Wellness Screening

Answer 14

• purpose is to determine if athlete is engaged in a health lifestyle
• questions about: diet, rest, exercise and wt. control
• lifestyle habits: alcohol, drugs, tobacco use, stress

Question 15

Sickle cell trait screening

Answer 15

• NCAA mandated screening

- blood test prior to first season

Question 16

Immunization Records

Answer 16

• defined by the CDC and recommended by the NCAA
• measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• hepB
• diphtheria, tetanus
• meningitis
• seasonal flu

Question 17

Herd immunity

Answer 17

• vaccination of a significant portion of a population provides a measure of protection for people who have not developed immunity
• greater proportion of people who are resistant the less probability that someone will come into contact with an infectious person
• different thresholds for different diseases
• measles 83-94%

Question 18

Timing of the PPE

Answer 18

• need sufficient time to correct any deficiencies
• deal is 6-8 weeks prior to first practice
• not a good idea to perform PPE on first day of practice

Question 19

Six options for level of participation

Answer 19

passed
passed with conditions
passed with reservations
failed with reservations
failed with conditions
failed

Question 20

Station vs personal physician physical exam

Answer 20

• rotate between stations vs. everything with one doc

Question 21

Education and counseling

Answer 21

• ppe is an opportunity for education and counseling
• important component of PPE
• nutrition, vaccinations, alcohol, STDs
• mass physical exams not as good a setting as physicians office

Question 22

Sport disqualification

Answer 22

• this action should be taken only in cases where participation would worsen the condition or would cause harm to other athletes
• team physician is the final authority
• not decision to be taken lightly
• ADA of 1990 dictates the athlete makes the final decision about participation

Question 23

Medical Hardship waiver documentation

Answer 23

• medical hardship: diagnosis, contemporaneous, same time, same injury, incapacitating has to be in letter

Question 24

Medical Records

Answer 24

• student athletes have a responsibility to truthfully and fully disclose their medical history and to report any changes in their health to their heart care provider

Question 25

Medical records should include

Answer 25

• record of present and past injuries, illnesses, medications, allergies, pregnancies, surgeries
• comprehensive health-status questionnaire
• referrals for and feedback from consultation, treatment and rehab
• subsequent care and clearances

Question 26

Release of Medical Records

Answer 26

• should include written permission, signed annually, which authorizes release of medical information to others
• should specify all people to whom the student-athlete authorizes the information to others
• specify which information may be released and to whom.