NFHS Releases New Sports Medicine Guidelines

NFHS Releases New Sports Medicine Guidelines

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has approved four new or revised position statements on a variety of issues concerning the health and well being of student-athletes. The committee provided a new position statement on the use of padded head gear in non-helmeted sports, and revised three previous position statements on invasive medical procedures, concussion guides for parents, and sports related skin infections.

The new statement on soft or padded head gear in non-helmeted sports states that the NFHS does not consider soft or padded headgear products as effective equipment in preventing a concussion in non-helmeted sports. Soft or padded headgear products may be worn in non-helmeted sports that allow for such optional equipment, but the intent of that equipment should be for reasons other than concussion prevention. The complete position statement can be read here.

The revised position on invasive medical procedures on the day of competition states that medical interventions which increase the risk of disease exacerbation or additional injury are never appropriate on the day of competition, or on any other day, for a student athlete. There are three steps of decision making for the Basis of the Return to Play1. These include evaluation of health risks, participation risks, and any factors in decision modification. The full statement can be read here.

The parents guide to a concussion goes provides extensive information for parents in dealing with an athlete that may have suffered a brain injury. It details steps a parent should take if they suspect their child has a concussion, as well as facts and tips on the signs and symptoms of such an injury. The full statement can be read here.

Finally the revised position statement on sports related skin infections details the required procedures that should be followed to treat a wide range of skin infections, particularly in sports with frequent and unavoidable skin-to-skin contact such as football, wrestling, and basketball. The full statement can be read here.

A complete list of all the position statements from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee can be found here, with additional information available in the sports medicine section of NFHS.org.

 

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