Return To Play Readiness - 6 Steps for Prioritizing Concussion Safety
by Lauren Spirov on Jun 14, 2023 8:45:00 AM
Roughly 2 in 10 youth athletes participating in youth contact sports suffer a concussion. Even more alarming is that 5 in 10 concussions go unreported or undetected. With such critically high concussion rates, parents, coaches and trainers have a duty to prioritize sports safety among …
The Prevalence of Volleyball Preseason Injuries
by Lauren Spirov on Jun 7, 2023 9:00:00 AM
Summer has only just begun, but volleyball athletes are also entering their preseason along with summer camps and vacations. It’s essential for coaches and athletes to be aware that volleyball injury rates are significantly higher during preseason compared to fall’s in-season - almost …
Responding to Athlete’s Mental Health Signs and Symptoms - How You Can Support
by Lauren Spirov on May 31, 2023 10:00:00 AM
Coaches, Athletic Trainers (ATs), parents and guardians don’t have to be experts in the mental health field to support their athletes effectively. In a recent study conducted by the NCAA, student-athletes reported that they look towards coaches as their primary source for information …
Athlete Mental Health - The Role Coaches and Athletic Trainers Play
by Lauren Spirov on May 24, 2023 10:00:00 AM
Over 30% of collegiate and professional athletes report having struggled with mental health issues. Many of these athletes experience mental illness symptoms that are serious enough to warrant professional intervention, such as counseling. What’s more and equally concerning, according …
A Coach's Role in Supporting Athlete Mental Health Post Injury
by Lauren Spirov on May 17, 2023 9:00:00 AM
In a 2023 NCAA-led survey completed by more than 6,000 head, assistant and associate coaches, over 80% of respondents reported spending significantly more time discussing mental health with their student-athletes than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s increasingly apparent …
Mental Health Awareness Month - The Role of Athletic Trainers in Supporting Athlete Mental Health
by Lauren Spirov on May 10, 2023 9:00:00 AM
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States (U.S.) since 1949. Currently, in the U.S., more than 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness. With mental health illnesses on the rise, focusing the conversation on mental health in sports is becoming increas …
In-season vs. Preseason Sports Safety Compliance
by Lauren Spirov on May 3, 2023 9:00:00 AM
Failure to ensure that your organization is 100% compliant can result in life-threatening injuries for athletes, thus increasing liability. Therefore, sports organizations' first and most crucial responsibility is to provide a safe environment for athletes by upholding policies and st …
Autism Awareness Month - Celebrating Autism Through Sport
by Lauren Spirov on Apr 26, 2023 10:16:49 AM
If you didn’t know already, April is National Autism Awareness Month! In 2023, the Center for Disease Control reported that about 1 in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since 2000, the prevalence of ASD has increased by 178%. Whethe …
Lack of Athletic Trainers in Schools and Youth Sports…. Can Coach Reporting be Part of the Solution?
by Lauren Spirov on Apr 19, 2023 8:00:00 AM
Participating in sports activities can be an enriching and enjoyable experience for students and youth athletes. However, injuries often occur and athletic programs without on-site athletic trainers (ATs) face significant challenges in providing adequate and equitable injury oversight …
The More You Know: Youth Football Safety Standards and the California Youth Football Act
by Lauren Spirov on Apr 12, 2023 8:45:00 AM
The 2019 California Youth Football Act AB1 (Assembly Bill) is the first and most comprehensive set of youth tackle football safety standards in the United States. It follows safety standards that are consistent with those at the high school football level and, in short, aims to help r …