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.
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.
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.
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