A safer approach to
work, life and sport

KNOW YOUR ROLE

We live our lives in teams. These teams go by many names. Our school. Our community. Our country. Our world. And we all must play our positions to protect our team members. Take a moment to understand how you can play that role for maximum impact.

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PARENTS HAVE A ROLE

Youth athletes who participate in high school sports don’t always reach out for help after an injury due to peer pressure, pressure from coaches and the internal pressure to compete and not give up. Parents of student athletes must do their part to help keep their children safe by learning the signs and symptoms of injury, mental health issues and substance abuse. Whether it’s game-time or practice, advocating for appropriate medical care for your student athlete is crucial.

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SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS HAVE A ROLE

As concerns over the growing number of injuries sustained during school-sponsored sporting events and practices, school administrators must re-examine the medical services they provide our student athletes. To protect the safety of our student athletes, our schools and our communities, employing an athletic trainer must be a priority.

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STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE A ROLE

54 PERCENT of student athletes in a recent survey confessed to having played injured.43 When asked why, they answered, “I couldn’t let the team down” or “It was an important game.” 42 PERCENT of athletes said they have hidden or downplayed an injury during a game so they can keep playing. 62 PERCENT of student athletes claim to know someone else who has done the same.43 Student athletes should not be responsible for making medical decisions about their injuries. Proceeding onto the field at their own risk should not be an option.

LEGISLATORS HAVE A ROLE

Today, the secondary school athletic population leads the nation in sports-related deaths.60-65 15- to 17-YEAR-OLDS experience the highest rate of sports-related emergency room visits.5 Among high school athletes, concussion rates have steadily increased in the past decade.27 As concerns over the growing number of sports-related injuries increase, our nation’s legislators must do their part to support bills and draft new legislation to provide a higher standard of injury prevention and medical care for our student athletes.

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EMPLOYERS HAVE A ROLE

Injury prevention is everybody’s job. In 2013, the rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics was 3.3 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers44. Companies who employ athletic trainers report a decrease in costs associated with workplace injuries of more than 50 percent.51

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