2013 New Boston Huron Superintendent’s Honors Dinner (L to R: Jeffrey & Diane Wolber, Kristin Wolber & Stacy Gutierriz, ATC)
The top students in the Huron High School Class of 2013 were asked to pick a teacher or staff member that had a significant positive impact on their education. Kristin Wolber selected Stacey Gutierrez, ATC. The following excerpt describes Stacy’s thoughts on such a wonderful and deserving honor. Congratulations Stacy – you made a difference!
Oakwood Sports Medicine is the exclusive healthcare provider for the Canton Cup. Again this year, we will have certified athletic trainers at each of the venues for all games, to attend to the health needs of the players, answer questions, provide injury evaluation, recommendations and follow-up care as necessary. Stop by and visit our medical tents during the tournament!
Athletic practices and competitions in the summer and early fall months are subject to extremely high temperatures and humidity levels; both of which are cause for concern when outdoor activities are taking place. The obvious thoughts of sunscreen and hydration are still very important. For coaches, parents, athletic trainers and school districts, here’s a look at the topic of heat and humidity as it relates to athletics.
Recently, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) revealed their “Four Thrusts in Four Years” campaign, which it hopes to be effective in addressing some of the most pressing health and safety issues of school sports. The four emphases are:
• Require more initial and ongoing sports safety training for more coaches.
• Implement heat and humidity management policies at all schools for all sports.
• Revise practice policies generally, but especially for early in the fall season.
• Modify game rules to reduce the frequency of the most dangerous play situations, and to reduce head trauma.
The model policy from the MHSAA states, “…member schools should adopt a policy to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses in interscholastic athletic programs”, beginning with the 2013-14 school year. The MHSAA is acting on behalf of common sense and sound judgement that should already be in place. However, this is not the case since a policy was created to address specifics.
The policy also requires a member school to designate the task of recording the heat index 30 minutes prior to the start of an activity and then again 60 minutes after the start of the activity. These readings are to be taken at the site of the activity, including indoor facilities such as gymnasiums and other designated practice areas. The non-air conditioned gyms will present a tremendous problem in the dog days of August and early September.
The default designee will most likely be the school’s athletic trainer, if one is present. This is probably the best choice, and here’s why:
A policy shouldn’t be necessary when common sense and sound judgement are in play, and while the task of tracking heat index is a good idea, the real preventative measures take place when there is an athletic trainer on site to provide guidance and decision making based on an evaluation and appropriate treatment measures are taken. This remains a problem nationally as there are only approximately 50% of all secondary schools with access to a certified athletic trainer.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Research has shown that even seemingly mild concussions can have serious consequences in young athletes if they are not properly managed. What should I do if I think my child has had a concussion? When can an athlete return to play after a concussion?
Join our sports medicine experts to learn more and have your questions answered.
It’s free and informative.
Wednesday, May 1st at 6:00 pm
Oakwood PT & Wellness Center
17101 Rotunda Dearborn, MI
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. ( www.cdc.gov/concussion/sports )
An estimated 1.6 – 3.8 million individuals are affected each year by concussions. That’s a staggering number and indicates the need for diligence and appropriate follow up care.
Last week the American Academy of Neurology issued their updated guidelines on sports concussion. This is a big deal – neurologists are involved in the evaluation & management of traumatic brain injuries and the AAN is their representative professional organization - so having them (AAN) issue updated guidelines speaks to the amount of attention this topic has received. And deservedly so. AAN’s most recent update on sports concussions came in 1997. The AAN guidelines are based on a review of all available research through June 2012.
More interesting is that a majority of healthcare providers and state-level organizations have already made changes and have been following these “new” guidelines for a couple of years now.
So What’s “New”?
These guidelines are not necessarily new, however, having the recommendations all under one document will serve a greater purpose, that is the health and safety of young people involved in athletics. Oakwood Sports Medicine is pleased to see the evidence-based review that took place, resulting in the updated guidelines from a professional organization such as the American Academy of Neurology.
Sam Ekanem and team mate Allen Parker (Wayne Memorial H.S.)
With a record of 41-12, Wayne Memorial senior Sam Ekanem recently finished 8th in the MHSAA Individual State Wrestling Finals at 171 ponds. Sam is not only an athlete, he is also a scholar. With a 4.1 overall GPA he applied to several universities including U of M, Stanford and Harvard. Harvard wrestling coaches were impressed with Sam’s wrestling skills during national competitions last summer. Sam will attend Harvard University in the fall.
Sam plans on majoring in economics with government as a possible minor at Harvard University, he will also be a member of the Harvard wrestling team
While at Wayne Memorial High School Ekanem was a member of the Champions Of Wayne and Upward Bound Programs. He was three-time captain of the football team and two-time captain of the wrestling team.
About this time last year I wrote a post about working with the Wayne County Community College District Basketball Teams. Teams which practiced and played in an old yellowed tinted gym with limited players and funds.
What a difference a year makes, as of January 17, 2013 the men’s team is 9-5 overall and 4-1 in the league with a tough loss to Mott CC. The women’s team, which struggled even fielding enough players last year is 2-3 in the league and is also playing really well.
The teams have moved to a brand new facility with all the bells and whistles. With all the new amenities the number of fans has also increased dramatically. When previously you could only hear the hum of the lights and crickets, now it is hard to hear yourself think. Personally as the athletic trainer I went from having a small area next to the bleachers to a room filled with supplies.
The changes to the program have come from the dedication of the coaches who double as the Athletic Directors and support staff. They have truly grown the program in right way. From last year to this I have seen multiple students who were previously ineligible for whatever reason work hard to get back to playing the sport they love.
Ryan Rodd, ATC is a member of the Oakwood Sports Medicine staff. Ryan provides medical services to Dearborn Fordson High School and WCCCD.
Update:
A study released last week by the federal government, suggests the number of emergency room visits (over a 4-year period) seeking treatment after ingesting energy drinks doubled from 10,000 to more than 20,000. Most of these cases involved teenagers or young adults. In 2011, over 40% of cases involved energy drinks taken in combination with alcohol or prescription medicines Adderal and Ritalin (stimulants).
Read more about the study here.
The use of supplements, plants and derivatives, foods and over-the-counter medicines has been documented in competitive athletics for many years, typically in the high school level and above.
As related in a previous post, we discussed the need for parents, coaches, athletic trainers and other health professionals to be educated on what products athletes are asking for or interested in – try to stay ahead of the curve by reading the popular fitness magazine or checking out the local “health food” stores.
What has become apparent in just the recent past couple of years, is a general increase in the use of energy drinks by a much younger age group, such as middle school kids. The companies that make and sell these products (Monster, Full Throttle, Red Bull, for example) are using marketing plans (sponsoring concerts, races, droid apps, selling merch and swag) to attract a younger more youthful group of consumer – tobacco companies made this tactic very successful.
Beverage Digest reported a sales increase of 17% to $9 billion dollars last year of highly caffeinated soft drinks. This week, the two ounce shot, 5-Hour Energy, has been mentioned in some 90 FDA filings since 2009, including more than 30 that involved serious or life-threatening events like heart attacks, convulsions, and in one case, a spontaneous abortion, the New York Times reported.
Whether or not the increased consumption by younger people is specifically for the purposes of performance enhancement makes no difference. The fact that kids are consuming energy drinks period should be of concern to parents.
Why?
1. Because energy drinks fall into the FDA’s category of supplements – which means the product is held to a less-constraining set of standards for ingredients, creating and content. Companies are not required to disclose the amount of any indgredient, although they are very quick to point out the high levels of vitamins contained in their products!
2. High level athletes are subject to drug testing which means they must be very cautious about their dietary consumption, especially unknown ingredients.
3. A few ingredients in supplements may present safety issues for some segments of the population because of special age or health considerations. Consumers of energy drinks may be at higher risk for health problems such as caffeine toxicity, nervousness, cardiac arrhythmia, seizures or even death.
For more information on dietary supplements, the content in these links has proven to be reliable and of sound science.
Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN)
Eating For Exercising and Sports
The local Lions service organization sponsors an annual high school hockey tournament featuring two teams from the U.P. and two teams from downstate. This weekend Divine Child, Notre Dame Prep, Hancock and Sault Ste. Marie HS will face off.
“The Pullar” was built in the 1930′s and has been home to Sault Ste, Marie high school teams, juniors and Lake Superior State University Lakers.
The Pullar is an old barn with the charm only a few are able to appreciate!
Water soldiers standing guard.
Oakwood Sports Medicine is on the road this weekend.
No, not somewhere warm and sunny this time. Check it out!
Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan’s lower peninsula with the upper peninsula, fondly know as “da U.P.”!
The total length of this modern marvel is 26,372 feet, or 5 miles. The main towers are 552 feet above the water of Lakes Michigan and Huron below and vehicle traffic traverses the Mighty Mac 199 feet above those waters at the midspan. Over 3,000 workers spent 3 1/2 years constructing the bridge.
Welcome to Sault Ste Marie!
Settled in 1668 by French explorers, Sault Ste. Marie was named in honor of the Virgin Mary. The oldest city in Michigan and one of the oldest in the U.S., the Soo offers year-round fun and activities. With an average snowfall of 120″, the Soo more than contributes to the “Winter Wonderland” tag.
