And now for something almost completely irrelevant.

This was posted by sportsmd on twitter covering a New York Times article about about the validity of using lucky charms as an aid to athletic performance. Superstitions aside, the article reports that a study found a significant difference in the success rate of people who were wish good luck or believed that they were using a lucky piece of equipment to aid them. The article does not attempt to exlpain the psychological effects of why or how this works, but it was amusing to see this kind of quirky study showing some intriguing results.

"Preseason Heat Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics"

A series of videos produced by the National Athletic Trainer's Association that discuss interventions to prevent heat illness in secondary schools.

NFHS Coach's Education on TBIs

I was suprised to see that I haven't previously covered this in my blog because I have seen this course available for the last couple of weeks. This course covers a coach's responsibility in the event of a TBI. It was produced by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS). This is a free course and I highly recommend that every coach and official takes a look at this presentation.

This presentation can also be used to educate administrators and teachers who may not be aware of how TBIs affect the student athlete. I recommend this course for them to view as well.

Outside the Lines: Second Impact Syndrome

This is an ESPN video that takes a look at second impact syndrome.

Does Post Exercise Massage Improve Blood Flow and Reduce Lactic Acid?

Here is an interesting blog post that reviews a study in the Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise. The study only found that the blood flow was decreased every time pressure was applied to the area during a massage regardless of the technique. Blood flow only returned to normal after each stroke. It does not look promising that massage reduces lactic acid post-exercise.

Cheerleading "Athletic, but is it a sport?"

Here is an article covering the recent decision from a federal judge that declares that cheerleading is not a sport, albiet very athletic.

Whether you agree with the decision or not, I think that something has been left out of the discussion. The fact that the rules governing cheerleading vary tremendously from middle and high school to division II and III in college and to division I in college should be considered much closer. In the smaller school divisions and in MS and HS, the rules restrict a lot of the stunts that the division I cheerleaders often perform. I think that this needs to be accounted for in the this ruling, and it was not. It makes this decision unfortunate since the cheerleaders who do this extra stunts that require the skills of a gymnast are not accounted for.

TBI informational PowerPoint presentation

Here is the PowerPoint presentation that is given to all parents of high school and middle school athletes. This presentation discusses the risks of TBIs and treatment once a TBI is suspected.

I almost missed this.

I just received my rule books for football yesterday (I have also been an official for high school footbal for 20 years,) and in the Ohio supplemental booklet I saw that the officials will require written authorization to RTP from the LAT as well as the MD or DO. I guess I will be creating a form soon.

Addendum 8/8/2010
Ok, so now I find out that the reference the rule makes to written authorization has nothing to with giving the official a note of any kind, but rather it means that the LAT, MD, or DO write their normal, legally required documentation for the injury. This has nothing to do with showing or giving the officials any kind of documentation for their future reference. I think that this was a completely unnecassary clause in the rule that simply increases confusion for everybody.

Another Video Explaining the Dangers of TBIs

What is a Concussion? by the NATA, and the NHL.

Video on Proper Tackling Technique in Football

Heads Up Video by the NATA and the Riddell Corporation.

A Bunch of Resources on Various Sports Medicine Topics

A new feature to this blog is that I have added a feed on the left side that follows my Delicious.com bookmarks. I frequently add bookmarks to this site with topics related sports medicine for adolescents and youth. There are many articles on a variety of topics and the list is added to frequently.

Hibiclens MRSA handout

This is a handout that can be printed and passed out to students that discusses the danger of MRSA.

Weigh Out Sheets

There is a description of how to use these sheets at the end of the file. Print them out in landscape mode on a color printer and you should get four pages. Here is the link to the weigh out sheets.

Vacation

It was almost possible to completely avoid my job for four full weeks. ALMOST. I have to admit it will be nice to get back.


PirateATC