Alex B. Diamond

Inter-Association Recommendations for Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student-Athletes With Psychological Concerns at the Collegiate Level: An Executive Summary of a Consensus Statement

*Syracuse University, NY; †Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; ‡University of Arizona, Tucson; §National CollegiateAthletic Association, Indianapolis, IN; jjCarolina Performance, Raleigh, NC; ¶Princeton University, NJ; #Scharf BanksMarmor, LLC, Chicago, IL; **Clinical & Sports Consulting Services, Providence, RI; ††The International CriticalIncident Stress Foundation, Inc, Ellicott City, MDPURPOSEThe full range of mental health concerns found in thegeneral student population can also be seen instudent-athletes attending a university or college.The National Athletic Trainers’ Association formed a workgroup for the purpose of establishing recommendations ondeveloping a plan for the recognition and referral ofcollegiate student-athletes with psychological concerns.INTRODUCTIONThe growing prevalence in the types, severity, andpercentage of mental illnesses in young adults ages 18 to 25years, the age group of college students and student-athletes, is being recognized.

High Prevalence of Hypertension Among Collegiate Football Athletes

Background— The prevalence of hypertension among collegiate football athletes is not well described. Methods and Results— A retrospective cohort of all male athletes who participated in varsity athletics at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university between 1999 and 2012 was examined through chart review. Mandatory annual preparticipation physical examinations included blood pressure, body mass index, medication use, and supplement use. Prevalence of hypertension was compared between football and nonfootball athletes. A mixed-effects linear regression model examined change in blood pressure over time. Six hundred thirty-six collegiate athletes, including 323 football players, were identified. In the initial year of athletic participation, 19.2% of football athletes had hypertension and 61.9% had prehypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among football athletes than in nonfootball athletes in their initial (19.2% versus 7.0%; P<0.001) and final (19.2% versus 10.2%; P=0.001) years of athletic participation. In adjusted analyses, the odds of hypertension were higher among football athletes in the initial year (adjusted odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–4.30) but not in the final year (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–2.28). Over the course of their collegiate career, football athletes had an annual decrease in systolic blood pressure (−0.82 mm Hg; P=0.002), whereas nonfootball athletes did not (0.18 mm Hg; P=0.58). Conclusions— Hypertension and prehypertension were common among collegiate football athletes, and football athletes were more likely to have hypertension compared with male nonfootball athletes. This presents a potential cardiovascular risk in a young population of athletes. Strategies for increasing awareness, prevention, and treatment are needed.

Interassociation Recommendations for Developing a Plan to Recognize and Refer Student-Athletes With Psychological Concerns at the Secondary School Level: A Consensus Statement

During the 2012–2013 academic year, 7.7 million secondary school students took part in organized interscholastic sports, compared with just 4 million participants during the 1971–1972 year.1 Many student-athletes define themselves by their identities as athletes.2 Threats to that identity may come in the form of struggling performance; a chronic, career-ending, or time-loss injury; conflicts with coaches and teammates; or simply losing the passion for playing their sport.3–5 These challenges and associated factors may put the student-athlete in a position to experience a psychological concern or to exacerbate an existing mental health concern.2

The Cognitive Benefits of Exercise in Youth.

As our schools and children struggle to meet ever-changing and mandated academic standards, challenges in the time spent on physical activity continue to arise. On the other hand, however, we continue to face a global climate mired in the midst of an obesity epidemic. It is widely accepted that the health benefits of exercise are wide-ranging and powerful. It appears that cognitive function and academic achievement are additional realms beyond the physical where exercise is beneficial. The school setting presents a unique public health opportunity to enact change on a variety of levels. As sports medicine and exercise specialists, we need to support efforts that increase access to quality physical fitness across the board for all children.

Qualitative review of hazing in collegiate and school sports: consequences from a lack of culture, knowledge and responsiveness

Background As with most mental health disorders, the topic of hazing is not exclusive to the student athlete. However, it is also clear that the unique set of situations faced by athletes create a set of additional and difficult challenges to their mental and physical well-being. A deep-rooted culture, a lack of knowledge about hazing and its causal relationships, and a failure to act by teammates and adults all play a role in the propagation of this danger. Also, in an era where the popular press similarly celebrates and chastises episodes of hazing, it is increasingly crucial to turn to the scientific literature for guidance. Purpose To provide a comprehensive review of the scientific research on hazing in sports and to make recommendations for enhancing the approach and assistance to those in need on an individual and societal level. Study design Qualitative literature review of hazing in collegiate and school sports. Methods Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched using standardised terms, alone and in combination, including ‘hazing’, ‘bullying’, ‘sport’, ‘athlete’, ‘college’, ‘school’ and ‘youth’. Findings Despite increased attention to its dangers, hazing remains pervasive throughout the sports world. However, many do not recognise those actions as consistent with hazing. A change in culture, increased education and awareness, along with methodologically sound strategies for action must occur in order to reduce the ill effects and cycle of hazing. To date, current information and efforts are lacking.

Modifying Factors in Sports-Related Concussion: Dangerous Style of Play

Abstract In its third iteration, the Concussion in Sport Group identified 10 modifying factors that were presumed clinically to influence the investigation and management of concussions in sports. “Dangerous style of play” was delineated as one of these factors, most likely based on clinical lore. These modifying factors were retained in a more recent Concussion in Sport Group statement. To date, there has been no concerted effort to support or refute the inclusion of this constellation of behaviors as a modifying factor in sports-related concussion. This article reviews and summarizes the limited evidence related to a dangerous style of play in sports-related concussion, offers a preliminary assessment of its relevance as a modifying factor, and provides additional information on other aspects of player, coach, and governing body behavior and their potential effect(s) on reducing concussive injuries.

Sideline coverage of youth football

Youth football is a popular sport in the United States and has been for some time. There are currently more than 3 million participants in youth football leagues according to USA Football. While the number of participants and overall injuries may be higher in other sports, football has a higher rate of injuries. Most youth sporting events do not have medical personnel on the sidelines in event of an injury or emergency. Therefore it is necessary for youth sports coaches to undergo basic medical training in order to effectively act in these situations. In addition, an argument could be made that appropriate medical personnel should be on the sideline for collision sports at all levels, from youth to professional. This article will discuss issues pertinent to sideline coverage of youth football, including coaching education, sideline personnel, emergency action plans, age and size divisions, tackle versus flag football, and injury prevention.

The Value of Sleep on Athletic Performance, Injury, and Recovery in the Young Athlete

Adequate sleep can easily become compromised as student-athletes try to balance the multiple demands on their time. People with sleep deficiency are at increased risk for acute illnesses, traumatic sports injuries, and development of chronic diseases. Training sessions or competitions during extremely early or late hours can interfere with circadian and homeostatic rhythms. Adjusting the training schedule to improve sleep duration has a significantly positive impact on several aspects of athletic performance. Pediatricians should increase the time dedicated in well-child visits for sleep hygiene and evaluate for sleep disorders at all ages. Parents, coaching staff, teachers, and pediatricians should advocate for improved education on the importance of sleep during adolescence. Future sleep research specific to adolescent athletes can further delineate requirements specific to sport, gender, training times, and surrounding competitions. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(3):e106-e111.].