In the News: Concussions & High School Football

Last week, TIME Magazine published a story called The Tragic Risks of American Football.  The story was written about a high school football player, by the name of Chad Stover, whose life was cut short due to a traumatic brain injury during one of his games.  Aside from talking about Chad Stover and his family, TIME went on to discuss the lack of medical assistance that night and the debate over whether American football is safe for today’s youth and where the game is headed in the future.  While this story is eye-opening to some, concussion tragedies are becoming an all too familiar story in today’s society.

 Can football withstand the test of time in a society filled with worries for the future of America’s youth?  I believe that with the recent research, parents and athletes are becoming more aware of the risks that are involved with the sport, and thus skeptic about becoming involved.  While there have been changes made at all levels to try and protect athletes from the potential risk of a brain injury, concussions are inevitable in football.  One change that I believe will be beneficial to the youth population is eliminating tackle football from children under the age of 14.  In other words, tackle football begins once the individual has entered high school.  Will this change eliminate the risk of concussion related deaths in athletes? No.  However, I agree with Dr. Robert Cantu when he says that, “younger brains are more susceptible to injury and that a reduction in head contact before adolescence would reduce the chance of long-term brain damage.” 

   Another important piece of information that the story touches upon, is the lack of medical assistance at the high school level.  The state of Missouri (where the story is set), as well as other states, do not require an athletic trainer or an ambulance at regular-season high school football games.  The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) gave a couple astonishing statistics in the story stating that, “only 39% of public high schools have access to a full-time certified athletic trainer, and 30% of schools have no training services at all.”  These statistics need to drastically change if we have any hope at all of saving our youth from traumatic brain injuries.  While schools may believe that having only an EMT present at games is beneficial, it is the athletic trainer that high schools really need.  Athletic trainers are specialized in concussion evaluations and spinal injury assessments, while EMTs are not.  I understand that budgets make it hard for all schools to have an athletic training services provided, but I believe that in the future, school systems should begin to plan to set aside a budget to provide an athletic trainer and each and every school across the country.  This needs to happen if sports like football continue to exist.

In small towns, like Tipton, MO, as well as larger cities, high school football is a glorified sport.  The iconic “Friday Night Lights” excitement and feeling is one that everyone has experienced at one time or another.  It is sad that such a beloved sport can cause such traumatic injuries.  However, changes need to be made in order to preserve this sport for the future.  This story is definitely worth the read and I hope it will spark a discussion with my followers.

My Philosophy as a Graduate Athletic Training Student

By definition, an Athletic Trainer is a “health care professional who collaborates with physicians while providing services in prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions”.  While all of this is true, I believe that athletic training is MUCH more than that.  In my opinion, it takes one truly special individual to become an athletic trainer.  While some of these professionals are content with just being average, it is those professionals, who go above and beyond the basic “definition”, who truly excel in this field.  My philosophy is that athletic training is what you put into it. 

In terms of patient care, I offer patients with the best care I can possibly give. My top priority is the health and wellness of my athletes and patients.  While this sometimes may be a difficult task due to external factors, I am confident in my decision-making process and strive to always do what is best for the patient.   As a former athlete myself, I understand the demands that athletics have on the human body as well as the dedication that athletes possess to want to compete at the highest level possible.  From this understanding, I provide positive encouragement and a helping hand to those who are injured, while working hard to protect those who aren’t.

Along with patient care, I take great pride in forming respectful relationships with my athletes and patients.  I understand that opinions may vary, but I believe successful athletic trainers are those who understand their patients’ backgrounds and provide them with a sense of comfort.  The interaction with athletes on a daily basis, as well as being the individual who gets the opportunity to inspire and encourage an athlete from the time of his or her injury to the moment he or she takes the first step onto the field post-injury, is what drew me to this profession.

As an athletic training student, I believe in the importance of evidence-based practice and clinical experience.  The decisions that I make in the clinic are formed from evidenced-based ideas and practices.  If I am unaware of a certain injury or method, I will work hard to find an educated answer.  I believe that clinical experience is an invaluable learning tool and something students should take very seriously. I always let my passion drive my desire to learn and experience as much as I can when I'm in the athletic training room.  Asking questions and engaging in discussions with preceptors, only add to the clinical experience.  If you put in “average” work in the clinic, you will gain only an “average” experience.  I have the desire to be an extraordinary athletic trainer, so I put in extraordinary effort both in the classroom and in the clinic.  Again, athletic training is what you put into it.

I am an Athletic Trainer

 

"So God made an Athletic Trainer."

 

This video illustrates how important Athletic Training is to the world of physically active individuals.  It also demonstrates the demands and challenges that athletic trainers endure on an every day basis.  If you don't understand exactly what the life of an athletic trainer is, please watch this video.

Welcome to my blog! If you're looking for some up to date news in the world of Athletic Training you have found the right place.  Along with the new information, I will also be sharing my thoughts and experiences as a Graduate Athletic Training Student.  I look forward to hearing about your own experiences and thoughts as well!