State High School Athletic Associations Research Articles

Secondary School State Athletic Association Health and Safety Policy Development Processes.

The National Federation of State High School Associations provides recommendations regarding health and safety policies; however, policy development is governed at the state level. Given interstate differences in governance, the primary purpose was to describe processes that State High School Athletic Associations (SHSAAs) utilize to develop a new policy. The secondary objective was to determine what methods associations use to implement new policies. A cross-sectional survey requested SHSAA (n = 51) representatives to report how athlete health and safety policies are introduced, revised, approved, and implemented within their state. The 22-question survey was developed to gather variables for the aims of the study. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each survey item. Of states who responded (n = 33), most reported a 2-committee (n = 24, 72.7%) process for developing and vetting policies, with initiation from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (n = 27, 81.8%), followed by an executive-level committee (n = 18, 66.7%). States reported total time from policy initiation to final approval ranged from 2 weeks to over 12 months. When a new policy was approved, most states indicated implementation began with an e-mail (n = 24, 72.7%) sent to Athletic Directors (n = 26, 78.8%). School principal or district superintendent were reported as the position in charge of compliance (36.4%, n = 12). Most SHSAAs use a 2-step process to write and review an athlete health and safety policy before approval. SHSAAs that require a longer policy development time could delay the implementation of important health measures. SHSAAs could consider additional communication methods to ensure information reaches all stakeholders.

Concussion education perceptions among secondary school athletic trainers

ABSTRACT Purpose Describe concussion education perceptions among secondary school athletic trainers and determine the relationship between education program characteristics and perceived effectiveness. Methods Two hundred and three participants completed at least one survey item (age = 35.2 ± 9.4 years; male = 27.6%). We used descriptive statistics to describe concussion education characteristics and point out biserial correlations to determine if relationships existed between concussion education characteristics and perceived effectiveness. Results The most frequently used mandated concussion education programs were informational handouts created by the state interscholastic association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Heads Up materials, and the National Federation of State High School Athletic Association’s materials. The CDC’s Heads Up materials, handouts created by the state interscholastic association, and in-person presentations created by respondents were the most frequent concussion educational programs utilized by respondents who indicated no specific program mandated. Educational programs that were engaging increased perceived effectiveness (n = 131, rpb = 0.31,p < 0.001). Conclusions Our results highlight that materials created by state interscholastic association and the CDC’s Heads Up program among others are utilized to satisfy mandates and are perceived to be moderately effective, especially when perceived to be engaging. These results can help guide future studies to examine specific educational tools and administration strategies to determine effectiveness on concussion disclosure.

Emergency Action Planning in School-Based Athletics: A Systematic Review.

IntroductionA significant number of preventable catastrophic injuries occur in secondary school athletics. Compliance to Emergency Action Plan (EAP) recommendations is not well documented. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify compliance to EAP recommendations, access to an athletic trainer (AT) and automated external defibrillator (AED), and current legislative mandates in school-based athletics.MethodsElectronic databases were searched to identify articles that met criteria for inclusion. Studies in English that focused on adoption, implementation, or compliance with EAPs or other national guidelines pertaining to athlete health were eligible for inclusion. Quality and validity were examined in each article and data were grouped based on outcome measures.ResultsOf 12,906 studies, 21 met the criteria for inclusion and full text review. Nine studies demonstrated EAP adoption rates ranging from 55% – 100%. Five studies found that EAPs were rehearsed and reviewed annually in 18.2% – 91.6% of schools that have an EAP. At total of 9.9% of schools were compliant with all 12 National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) EAP guidelines. A total of 2.5% – 27.5% of schools followed NATA exertional heat illness guidelines and 50% – 81% of schools had access to an athletic trainer. In addition, 61% – 94.4% of schools had an AED available at their athletic venues. Four of 51 state high school athletic association member schools were required to meet best practice standards for EAP implementation, 7 of 51 for AED access, 8 of 51 for heat acclimation, and 3 of 51 for concussion management.ConclusionsThere was a wide range of EAP adoption and a low rate of compliance to EAP guidelines in U.S. schools. Barriers to EAP adoption and compliance were not well documented and additional research should aim to identify impeding and facilitating factors.

Exertional Heat-Stroke Preparedness in High School Football by Region and State Mandate Presence

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a leading cause of sudden death in high school football players. Preparedness strategies can mitigate EHS incidence and severity. To examine EHS preparedness among high school football programs and its association with regional and state preseason heat-acclimatization mandates. Cross-sectional study. Preseason high school football programs, 2017. A total of 910 athletic trainers (ATs) working with high school football (12.7% completion rate). We acquired data on high school football programs' EHS preparedness strategies in the 2017 preseason via an online questionnaire, looking at (1) whether schools' state high school athletic associations mandated preseason heat-acclimatization guidelines and (2) heat safety region based on warm-season wet-bulb globe temperature, ranging from the milder region 1 to the hotter region 3. Six EHS-preparedness strategies were assessed: EHS recognition and treatment education; policy for initiating emergency medical services response; emergency response plan enactment; immersion tub filled with ice water before practice; wet-bulb globe temperature monitoring; and hydration access. Multivariable binomial regression models estimated the prevalence of reporting all 6 strategies. Overall, 27.5% of ATs described their schools as using all 6 EHS-preparedness strategies. The highest prevalence was in region 3 schools with state mandates (52.9%). The multivariable model demonstrated an interaction in which the combination of higher heat safety region and presence of a state mandate was associated with a higher prevalence of reporting all 6 strategies (P = .05). Controlling for AT and high school characteristics, the use of all 6 strategies was higher in region 3 schools with state mandates compared with region 1 schools without state mandates (52.9% versus 17.8%; prevalence ratio = 2.68; 95% confidence interval = 1.81, 3.95). Our findings suggest a greater use of EHS-preparedness strategies in environmentally warmer regions with state-level mandates for preseason heat acclimatization. Future researchers should identify factors influencing EHS preparedness, particularly in regions 1 and 2 and in states without mandates.

The Association between Mandated Preseason Heat Acclimatization Guidelines and Exertional Heat Illness during Preseason High School American Football Practices.

Background:The risk of heat-related illness and death may continue to increase in many locations as a consequence of climate change, but information on the effectiveness of policies to protect populations from the adverse effects of excessive heat is limited. In 2009, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Inter-Association Task Force (NATA-IATF) released guidelines to reduce exertional heat illness (EHI) among U.S. high school athletes participating in preseason sports activities, including preseason practice sessions for American football. A subset of state high school athletic associations have implemented state-mandated guidelines consistent with the 2009 NATA-IATF recommendations, but their effectiveness for reducing preseason EHI is unknown.Objectives:This study examines the association between the enactment of state high school athletic association–mandated NATA-IATF guidelines and the rate of EHI among high school students during preseason American football practice sessions.Methods:We performed a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series study of EHI during high school American football practices in the 2005/2006–2016/2017 school years. We estimated state-level EHI rates using High School Reporting Information Online injury and athlete-exposure data, and used generalized estimating equations Poisson regression models to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing state-years with and without mandated NATA-IATF guidelines. State-level covariates included state-year–specific average August temperatures, yearly deviations from each state’s August average temperature across the study period, and school year.Results:Data were available for 455 state-years from 48 states, including 32 state-years (7.0%) from 8 states when mandated guidelines consistent with the NATA-IATF recommendations were implemented. During an estimated 2,697,089 athlete-exposures, 190 EHIs were reported. Estimated preseason EHI rates were lower during state-years with versus without mandated guidelines (adjusted , 95% CI: 0.23, 0.87).Conclusions:Our findings suggest that high school athletes would benefit from enactment of the 2009 NATA-IATF guidelines. Similar analyses of the effectiveness of other public health policies to reduce adverse health effects from ambient heat are warranted. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4163

Survival After Exercise-Related Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young Athletes: Can We Do Better?

Background:Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in young athletes during sports.Hypothesis:Survival after SCA in young athletes is variable.Study Design:Prospective, active surveillance study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:From July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016, exercise-related SCA in competitive young athletes was identified through a systematic search of traditional and social media sources, direct reporting to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, searching of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Resolutions List, regular communication with national and state high school athletic associations, and review of cases in the Parent Heart Watch database.Results:A total of 132 cases were identified during the 2-year study period (mean patient age, 16 years; age range, 11-27 years; 84% male; 51% white non-Hispanic/Latino, 30% black/African American, and 11% white Hispanic/Latino). High school athletes accounted for 78 (59%) cases, with 28 (21%) in middle school and 15 (11%) in college athletes. Overall survival was 48% (95% CI, 40%-57%; 64 survivors, 68 deaths). Survival was similar in male versus female athletes but higher in white non-Hispanic/Latino (40/67; 60%) versus black/African American (13/39; 33%) athletes (difference, 27%; 95% CI, 7%-45%; P = 0.008) and white non-Hispanic/Latino versus all minority (18/59; 31%) athletes (difference, 29%; 95% CI, 13%-46%; P = 0.001). Basketball accounted for 30% of cases, followed by football (25%), track/cross-country (12%), and soccer (11%). The majority (93%) of cases were witnessed. If a certified athletic trainer was on-site and involved in the resuscitation, 83% of athletes survived. If an on-site automated external defibrillator was used in the resuscitation, 89% of athletes survived.Conclusion:Exercise-related SCA in young, competitive athletes is typically witnessed, providing an opportunity for rapid resuscitation. Additional research is needed to identify factors that affect survival in different athlete populations.Clinical Relevance:Public access defibrillator programs should be universal in schools and youth sporting venues and have the potential to increase survival after SCA in young athletes.

Assessment of Evidence-Based Health and Safety Policies on Sudden Death and Concussion Management in Secondary School Athletics: A Benchmark Study.

Implementation of best-practice health and safety policies has been shown to be effective at reducing the risk of sudden death in sport; however, little is known about the extent to which these policies are required within secondary school athletics. To examine best-practice health and safety policies pertaining to the leading causes of sudden death and to concussion management in sport mandated at the state level for secondary school athletics. Descriptive observational study. State high school athletic associations (SHSAAs), state departments of education, and enacted legislation. United States (including the District of Columbia) SHSAAs. A review of SHSAA health and safety policies for the 2016-2017 academic year, state department of education policies, and enacted legislation was undertaken to assess the polices related to the leading causes of sudden death and concussion management in sport. Current best-practice recommendations used to assess health and safety policies were specific to emergency action plans, automated external defibrillators, heat acclimatization, environmental monitoring and modification, and concussion management. The total number of best-practice recommendations required for each SHSAA's member schools for the aforementioned areas was quantified and presented as total number and percentage of recommendations required. Four of 51 SHSAA member schools were required to follow best practices for emergency action plans, 7 of 51 for access to automated external defibrillators, 8 of 51 for heat acclimatization, and 3 of 51 for management of concussion. At the time of this study, SHSAA member schools were not required to follow all best-practice recommendations for preventing the leading causes of sudden death and for concussion management in sport. Continued advocacy for the development and implementation of best practices at the state level to be required of all secondary schools is needed to appropriately serve the health and well-being of our young student-athletes.

State-Level Implementation of Health and Safety Policies to Prevent Sudden Death and Catastrophic Injuries Within Secondary School Athletics.

Background:Sudden death and catastrophic injuries during sport can be attenuated with the implementation of evidence-based health and safety policies. However, the extent of the implementation of these policies within secondary school athletics is unknown.Purpose:To provide an assessment of the implementation of health and safety policies pertaining to the leading causes of sudden death and catastrophic injuries in sport within secondary school athletics in the United States.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:A rubric for evidence-based practices for preventing the leading causes of death and catastrophic injuries in sport was created. The rubric comprised 5 equally weighted sections for sudden cardiac arrest, head injuries, exertional heat stroke, appropriate medical coverage, and emergency preparedness. State high school athletic association (SHSAA) policies, enacted legislation, and Department of Education policies were extensively reviewed for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. States meeting the specific criteria in the rubric, which required policies to be mandated for all SHSAA member schools, were awarded credit; the weighted scores were tabulated to calculate an aggregate score. States were then ranked from 1 (best) to 51 (worst) based on the aggregate score achieved.Results:The median score on the rubric was 47.1% (range, 23.00%-78.75%). States ranked 1 through 10 (from 78.75% to 56.98%) were North Carolina, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, South Dakota, Missouri, Washington, Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Georgia, respectively. States ranked 11 through 20 (from 56.03% to 50.55%) were Arkansas, New York, Mississippi, West Virginia, Oregon, Illinois, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas, and District of Columbia, respectively. States ranked 21 through 30 (from 49.40% to 44.00%) were Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Mexico, Alabama, Maine, Rhode Island, Indiana, Nevada, and Utah, respectively. States ranked 31 through 40 (from 43.93% to 39.80%) were Ohio, Delaware, Alaska, Vermont, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Idaho, and South Carolina, respectively. States ranked 41 through 51 (from 38.73% to 23.00%) were Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Kansas, Wyoming, Minnesota, Montana, Iowa, California, and Colorado, respectively.Conclusion:State scores ranged from 23.00% to 78.75% for the implementation of evidence-based best practices for preventing the leading causes of sudden death and catastrophic injuries (sudden cardiac arrest, traumatic head injuries, exertional heat stroke, and exertional sickling) in sport. Continued advocacy for the development and implementation of policies at the secondary school level surrounding sudden death and catastrophic injuries is warranted to optimize the health and safety of these student athletes.

Health care in high school athletics in West Virginia.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of implementation of emergency preparedness procedures and administrative procedures to provide appropriate medical coverage to high school athletics in the predominantly rural US state of West Virginia. Particular attention was given to determine the extent to which the schools provided the recommendations for best practice in the National Athletic Trainers Association consensus statement outlining appropriate medical coverage for high school athletics. A listing of all public schools participating in the state high school athletic association with at least one team participating in interscholastic competition was obtained from the state Department of Education office. An electronic survey was sent to the principal at each high school with instructions that an administrator or sports medicine professional complete the survey. A total of 62 respondents completed the survey (49.6% response rate). Most respondents were principals (92%), followed by athletic administrators (8%). The majority of schools reported a rural zip code at the school level based on the Rural Urban Community Area Codes. Measures assessed the school demographics, including size and rurality. Additional measures assessed the development and implementation of a comprehensive athletic healthcare administrative system, and the development and implementation of a comprehensive emergency action plan. The majority of respondents reported that there was a consent form on file for student athletes (91%) and comprehensive insurance was required for participation (80%). A third of the respondents (33%) reported that all members of the coaching staff were certified in first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and 31% reported 'never' when asked if all coaches were required to be certified in CPR and first aid. When asked if there was a written emergency action plan (EAP) that outlines procedures to follow in emergency situations during athletic participation, 36% responded 'never' and 38% responded 'always'. When asked about specific limitations for health care to athletes the three main themes identified in qualitative analysis were lack of funding, lack of certified medical personnel, and the inability to locate certified medical personnel in a rural area. This study confirmed expected barriers to health care for high school athletes in West Virginia, specifically the lack of funding and resources available to rural schools. In order to prevent a life threatening emergency or possibly sudden cardiac death, preparing and planning for emergencies should be an essential part of high school athletic programs. Rural areas face significant challenges in regards to funding and qualified personnel. Requiring first aid and CPR certification for coaches and requiring an EAP are two steps that could improve the health care provided to athletes. These are inexpensive and achievable steps that could be taken to improve the safety for athletes at high schools in both rural and non-rural areas.

The Effect Of Restricting Full Contact Football Practice On Repeated Head Impact Exposure

PURPOSE: Fears over the long term effects of repeated head impacts have resulted in sporting organizations to place restrictions on full contact football practice at the professional, collegiate and high school levels. Prior to the 2014 season, the Michigan State High School Athletic Association limited full contact practices to no more than two days per week. This investigation sought to evaluate head impact exposure during interscholastic football prior to and following the rule change. METHODS: As part of a larger investigation on head impact exposure and cognitive function, 41 athletes participated in the 2013 (n=26) and 2014 (n=24) seasons. Nine athletes participated in both years. Following informed consent/assent, each athlete’s helmet was fitted with a Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System encoder to monitor head impact frequency during all games and practices. Impact exposure was evaluated by player position for each year of the study. RESULTS: In 2013, 15,398 impacts were recorded and 8,269 in 2014. In 2013, the average football athlete sustained 592+391 head impacts, compared to 345+236 in 2014. Overall, there was a 41.8% decline in head impacts between the two seasons. Quarterbacks had the largest decline (-48.1%); followed by the Linemen (-37.3%); Receivers, Corners, and Safeties (-22.8%); and Tight Ends, Running Backs, and Linebackers (-18.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation demonstrated a substantial reduction in head impacts following restriction of full contact football practices that goes beyond previous estimates. How this change influences long term cognitive health is not clear, but reduced impact exposure during practice has been shown to diminish overall concussion rates. This investigation was funded by The National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (1R15NS081691-01)

The Preparticipation Physical Evaluation

To evaluate current preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) clinical practice behaviors. Telephone and Web-based survey study with attention to utilization of the Fourth Edition PPE Monograph. We contacted the Washington State American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) chapters, all Washington State high school athletic directors (ADs), and every state high school athletic association. Data collection and analysis regarding clinical practice. Awareness and utilization of the Fourth Edition PPE Monograph. The response rate was 72% (559/776) from the AAP, 56% (554/990) from the AAFP, 75% (317/424) from the ADs, and 100% (50/50) from the state athletic associations. Few physicians (37%) and ADs (6%) reported an awareness of the PPE Monograph. Knowledge of the Monograph did not vary by physician type, practice/school location, or experience (P > 0.05). Reported obstacles to the delivery of the PPE included time with patient (56%) and the lack of a standard form (52%). Physician awareness of the Monograph reduced the perception of obstacles (P < 0.01). Athletic directors reported financial limitations of the family as the primary obstacle (62%). Adoption of a single statewide PPE form was well supported (96% of physicians and 67% of ADs). Nationally, only 46% of state athletic associations mandate a single form, and only 16% use a form consistent with the Fourth Edition PPE Monograph. The medical community is largely unaware of national screening guidelines. New directions for education and policy are necessary to improve this implementation gap.

Preparticipation Physical Evaluation

The preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is a common reason for young athletes to see a primary care physician. An annual PPE is required by most state high school athletic associations for participation in school-based sports, although there is limited evidence to support its effectiveness for detecting conditions that predispose athletes to injury or illness. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics, with representatives from the American Academy of Family Physicians and other organizations, published updated PPE recommendations (PPE5). According to the guideline, the general goals of the PPE are determining general physical and psychological health; evaluating for life-threatening or disabling conditions, including risk of sudden cardiac arrest and other conditions that may predispose the athlete to illness or injury; and serving as an entry point into the health care system for those without a medical home or primary care physician. The guideline recommends that the evaluation take place in the physician's office rather than in a group setting. The PPE should include a structured physical examination that focuses on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems. Screening for depression, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is also recommended. Clinicians should recognize any findings suggestive of the relative energy deficiency in sport syndrome. Additional consideration is required to address the needs and concerns of transgender athletes and athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. Finally, guidelines have been published regarding return to play for athletes who have had COVID-19.

Adherence to Guidelines for Cardiovascular Screening in Current High School Preparticipation Evaluation Forms

We compared the content of the cardiac screening questions on US state high school athletic association preparticipation evaluation forms with current consensus recommendations. We reviewed the high school athletic association's approved, recommended, or required sports preparticipation form from each of the 50 US states and the District of Columbia, and compared the content of the personal and family history components with current recommendations for cardiac screening questions. We found that 85% of the preparticipation forms in current use contain all elements of the formerly recommended guidelines, but only 17% contain all elements of the new consensus guidelines. We conclude that although there appears to be some improvement in the content of the preparticipation forms in current use compared with previous studies, the vast majority of these forms are incomplete compared with current consensus guidelines.

Validation of Bioimpedance as a Measure of Body Fat in High School Wrestlers

PURPOSE: State high school athletic associations have investigated methods to ensure the health and safety of high school wrestlers. The NCAA requires the prediction of minimum weight (MW) by assessing body composition and hydration status. These results determine a wrestler's lowest allowable wrestling weight class. To “make weight,” athletes often “cut” weight by withholding fluids. Body composition can be determined by several methods, including leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance. This is an affordable newer technology that has not been validated on high school wrestlers. Our purpose is to determine the validity of bioelectrical impedance (BIA) as an instrument of body composition compared to standard three-site skinfold (SF) testing and the Bod Pod® (BP) measurements and assess the effect of dehydration on these measurements in high school wrestlers. METHODS: Percent body fat was determined by 3 methods for 98 high school wrestlers taking part in the pre-season wrestling weight certification program implemented by the Virginia High School League. Hydration was assessed and a urine specific gravity (USG) < 1.020 was assigned as hydrated. Prior to analysis, subjects were placed into light, middle, and heavy weight categories based on their assigned wrestling weight class. Repeated measures ANOVA with between-subjects factors was used to assess the equality of means between the three measurement devices. RESULTS: Percent body fat determinations were: For light weight wrestlers: 9.37 (BP), 9.15 (SF) and 6.91 (BIA); middle weight wrestlers: 9.98 (BP), 10.71 (SF), 11.68 (BIA); and heavy weight wrestlers: 18.51 (BP), 16.84 (SF), 21.33(BIA). Hydration level had no significant effect on body fat measurements. BIA underestimated body fat composition in lighter weight wrestlers and overestimated percent body fat in heavy weight wrestlers. CONCLUSIONS: BIA is not a valid alternative method for assessing body composition in high school wrestling weight certification programs. Hydration status did not affect minimum wrestling weight determination in high school wrestlers.

Recommendations and Considerations Related to Preparticipation Screening for Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Competitive Athletes: 2007 Update

Sudden deaths of young competitive athletes are tragic events that continue to have a considerable impact on the lay and medical communities.1–17 These deaths are usually due to a variety of unsuspected cardiovascular diseases and have been reported with increasing frequency in both the United States and Europe.1,5 Such deaths often assume a high public profile because of the youth of the victims and the generally held perception that trained athletes constitute the healthiest segment of society, with the deaths of well-known elite athletes often exaggerating this visibility. These counterintuitive events strike to the core of our sensibilities, periodically galvanizing discussion and action, and in the process raise practical and ethical issues related to detection of the responsible cardiovascular conditions. Preparticipation cardiovascular screening is the systematic practice of medically evaluating large, general populations of athletes before participation in sports for the purpose of identifying (or raising suspicion of) abnormalities that could provoke disease progression or sudden death.13,16 Indeed, identification of the relevant diseases may well prevent some instances of sudden death after temporary or permanent withdrawal from sports or targeted treatment interventions.15,17–21 In addition, the increasing awareness that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) may not always prove successful in the secondary prevention of sudden death for athletes with cardiovascular disease22 underscores the importance of preparticipation screening for the prospective identification of at-risk athletes and the prophylactic prevention of cardiac events during sports by selective disqualification. Although some critics have questioned the effectiveness of cardiovascular screening,23,24 overwhelming support for the principle of this public health initiative exists in both the medical and lay communities.13–16,25 The efficacy of the various athlete screening strategies is not easily resolved in the context of evidence-based investigative medicine. Recently, recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)16 and International …

Attitudes of High School Ice Hockey Players Toward Mouthguard Usage

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine Michigan High School ice hockey players’ attitudes regarding the use of mouthguards and to determine the effects of mouthguard type, player position, education, and usage time with respect to attitudes. Methods: A questionnaire measuring players’ attitudes toward mouthguards was sent to six member institutions of the Michigan State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) located in Southwest Michigan. Out of a total of 128 players listed on the rosters of the MSHSAA, 119 (93%) players returned the surveys, with 117 surveys used in the analyses (91%).Results: Approximately 25.6% of players reported wearing mouthguards 50% of the time or greater during practices and 80.3% wearing mouthguards 50% of the time or greater during games. Seventy-two percent of the subjects had never received educational information regarding mouthguards. A 2x2x3 ANOVA revealed no significant effect between player position, previous mouthguard education, and mouthguard type with respect to mouthguard attitudes. Independent t-tests revealed players wearing mouthguards greater than 50% of the time during practice and games had more positive attitudes toward mouthguards than those who wore mouthguards less than 50% of the time. Conclusion: No one specific factor affecting attitudes of mouthguard use was identified; however, the majority of the players had no previous education on mouthguard usage. Our results show a need for more educational interventional programs by healthcare providers, dentists, and coaches.

State High School Athletic Association’s Limited Participation Rules: Transfer

State High School Athletic Association’s Limited Participation Rules: Transfer

State High School Athletic Association’s Limited Participation Rules: Age Limitations

State High School Athletic Association’s Limited Participation Rules: Age Limitations

State High School Athletic Associations’ Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Transfers and Recruiting

State High School Athletic Associations’ Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Transfers and Recruiting

HEALTH IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS.

This month's question concerns the place of one type of rigorous body contact sport in the program of activities for junior high school boys. The April, 1964 Journal of School Health contains a resume of the Report of the Committee on Health Problems in Physical Education and Athletics which deals with the same topic in more detail. Your attention is also called to “Standards for Junior High School Athletics” a publication of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation which is a report of the Junior High School Athletics Subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Standards for Inter scholastic Athletics sponsored by the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation; the National Association of Secondary School Principals; and the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations.