| Coaches
on all levels have a responsibility to the safety and well-being
of the athletes they coach. They should always be cautious
about injuries and not playing athletes until they are medically
cleared to play. Coaches are also often looked to as a mentor,
friend, and somebody to talk to. It is important that a coach
always listen to the athletes, especially when they are reporting
a problem mentally or physically. Both coaches and athletic
trainers should be prepared to handle injuries and emergency
situations. Below is information on important issues that
are becoming more prevalent in today’s sports world.
Coaches must be aware and informed on concussions, heat illness,
and sideline preparedness.
Concussions,
Heat Illness, Sideline
Preparedness, Continuing Education
Concussions
One
of the biggest issues in sports today is concussions. A
concussion is an injury to the brain resulting in trauma
to the head. They are one of the most common injuries on
all levels, and if left untreated, can have serious short
term and long term effects. About 300,000 sports concussions
occur every year in the United States. Although most are
mild concussions, they are still serious and need to be
reported and treated.
COSM
Rehab offers the ImPACT program, a unique concussion assessment
test. Call us today for more information at 724.349.2276
- Short
Term Concussion Symptoms – Amnesia,
headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating,
vomiting, loss of coordination, weakness, and confusion.
-
Long Term Concussion Symptoms
– Long term symptoms can be far more serious, especially
when an individual suffers multiple concussions. Multiple
concussions can lead to more serious conditions such as
fatigue, sleep disorders and depression. Multiple concussions
have been linked to some deaths. Second Impact Syndrome
and Post-Concussion Syndrome are both dangerous conditions
also linked to multiple concussions.
-
Concussion Care – If an
athlete suffers a concussion, immediate medical attention
is required. Each case will have its own symptoms and
severity and doctors will be able to give proper treatments
and a time table for an athletes return.
Additional
Concussion Information from The National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control
Heat
Illness
Heat
illnesses are another key concern in athletics. Heat illnesses
can affect people differently but they are all a result
of dehydration. When competing, it is important that athletes
consume fluids often - before, during, and after workouts.
It is also important that athletes consume liquids even
if they are not thirsty. Coaches need to give several water
breaks during practices, training, and games to make sure
their athletes are properly hydrated.
- Types
of Heat Illnesses – There are 4 levels of heat
illnesses.
- Dehydration
– Lower than normal levels of fluid due to excessive
sweating without replenishing fluids.
- Heat
Exhaustion – This heat illness occurs
the most frequently among athletes. This occurs when strong
dehydration leads to decreased blood levels.
- Heat
Cramps
– A less common form of heat illness but heat cramps
can cause uncomfortable muscle spasms.
- Heat
Stroke
– This is by far the most serious form of heat illness.
Symptoms can be very dangerous and even life threatening.
- Symptoms
of Heat Illnesses – dizziness, headache, nausea,
weakness, fatigue, faintness, clammy skin, weak pulse,
dry tongue, thirst, cramping, profuse sweating, abnormal
pulse, high body temperature, and in severe cases collapse
and unconsciousness.
Sideline
Preparedness
It
is important for coaches and athletic trainers to always
be prepared to handle injuries and emergency situations.
Especially on lower levels where an athletic trainer is
not always immediately available. There are some simple
steps coaches can take to ensure a safe environment and
be prepared for injury and emergency situations. Below is
a link to a safety checklist from the National Athletic
Trainers’ Association.
•
National Athletic Trainers Association Safety Checklist
Continuing
Education
To obtain a .pdf file of the Powerpoint Presentations
from the July 2008 Sports Medicine Update Program
held on the Main Campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania,
send an email request to:
Ronald.Trenney@iup.edu
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