Supporting Best Practices in
Youth Athlete Safety
SAFE PLAY ACT
H.R. 829
What is the SAFE PLAY Act?
Supporting Athletes, Families and Educators to Protect the Lives of Athletic Youth
An amendment to the P u b l i c H e a l t h S e r v i c e A c t to
require the C e n t e r f o r D i s e a s e C o n t r o l and H e a l t h
a n d H u m a n S e r v i c e s to recommend guidelines for:
•Education, awareness, and training about children’s cardiac
conditions to increase early diagnosis and prevent death
•Prevention and treatment of youth athlete concussion
•Heat advisory and heat acclimatization guidelines for
secondary school athletics
•Emergency action plans for athletics
•Safe energy drink use by youth athletes
Grants and Awards for
Schools
The money from these grants and awards will go
to the purchase of:
•AEDs, and/or
• the implementation of nationally recognized CPR
and AED training courses at schools
Grant Eligibility Requirements
• According to the SAFE PLAY Act, a local
educational agency would submit a grant
application, demonstrating the need for these
funds. Demonstrable need includes:
– Schools with more students
– Schools without an AED on the grounds or
– Schools with a response time that is longer than
normal.
– Other considerations could include the need for
expanding the CPR/AED training program.
What is an Eligible Local Educational Agency?
• Defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and
Second Education Act of 1965.
– The term Local Educational Agency means a public
board of education within a state with
administrative control of public elementary
schools, secondary schools within a city, township
or school district.
Current Status of the Bill
As of April 29, 2015 the Bill was sent to the
subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and
Secondary Education.
Why we choose to present this topic:
• Target audience
• Increasing your awareness of these life
threatening injuries/illnesses
• Provide you and your school with resources
and best practice guidelines to increase the
safety of school sports
• We hope to gain your support on this bill!
Emergency Action Plans and
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
EAPs – Why are they important?
• National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement:
– EVERY institution/organization that sponsors athletic activities
MUST have a written emergency action plan due to the risk of “an
untoward event” requiring access to emergency medical services
H. R. 829 - SAFE PLAY Act directs the CDC and HHS to…
– Recommend guidelines for the development of emergency action
plan
– Develop specific EAP guidelines for specific injuries, sports, and
venues.
How to develop an effective EAP
• Six primary components that must be met
– Emergency personnel
– Roles of Emergency personnel
– Communication
– Equipment
– Transportation
– Documentation
Useful resources for EAPs
• Anderson, J. C., Courson, R. W., Kleiner, D. M., and McLoda, T. A.
(2002). National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement:
Emergency Planning in Athletics. Journal of Athletic Training, 37(1).
99-104.
• CDC Recommendations for Concussion-Specific EAP
http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/pdf/HeadsUpOnConcussionInSports
Policies-a.pdf
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
• Heart conditions in athletes are rare, but when they do occur,
can be catastrophic and deadly
• Conditions can include: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
arrhythmias, coronary artery abnormalities, Marfan’s
syndrome, and commotio cordis (acute).
• Most athletes with a heart condition are asymptomatic until
they collapse.
• NATA Position Statement: Physical Examinations and
Disqualifying Conditions
• Guidelines include medical and family history and full physical
examination
• Administered by a physician upon entry into new level of
competition
Prevention – Pre-participation exam
• Health issues can be found during the pre-participation exam (PPE).
• However, limitations exist due to costs of extra tests and time
constraints.
– Sample PPE Forms
EAP and heart conditions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
In the event of a sudden cardiac emergency…
A well-implemented EAP can increase the survival rate of the victim
The response time of EMS, early access of an AED, and early CPR
intervention are vital to the victim’s survival
All medical personnel (ATC, physicians, ATS) and coaches should be up to
date with CPR and AED certifications.
National Athletic Trainer’s Association Position Statement: Preventing
Sudden Death in Sports
Creating and implementing EAPs with an ATC and physician with specific
policies regarding sudden cardiac arrest and collapse is the optimal
option for secondary schools
SAFE PLAY Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to
provide grants and awards to schools for the purchase of AEDs and to
implement accredited CPR/AED training courses.
Useful resources for heart health
•
•
•
•
American Academy of Pediatrics Pre-Participation Evaluation page:
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/Committees-CouncilsSections/Council-on-sports-medicine-and-fitness/Pages/PPE.aspx
Casa, D. J., Guskiewicz, K. M., Anderson, S. A., Courson, R. W., Heck, J. F.,
Jimenez, C. C., McDermott, B. P., Miller, M. G., Stearns, R. L., Swartz, E. E.,
and Walsh, K. M. (2012). National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position
Statement: Preventing Sudden Death in Sports. Journal of Athletic Training,
47(1). 96-118.
Conley, K. M., Bolin, D. J., Carek, P. J., Konin, J. G., Neal, T. L., and Violette, D.
(2014). National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement:
Preparticipation Physical Examinations and Disqualifying Conditions. Journal
of Athletic Training, 49(1). 102-120.
Duquette, D. (2012, March 1st). CDC Genomics and Health Impact Blog.
Retrieved from: http://blogs.cdc.gov/genomics/2012/03/01/cardiac-deathof-the-young/
Prevention and Treatment of
Youth Athlete Concussions
SAFE PLAY ACT
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION???
SAFE PLAY ACT H.R. 829
• “Supporting Athletes, Families, and Educators to Protect
the Lives of Athletic Youth Act”
• Education, awareness, and training about children’s cardiac
conditions to increase early diagnosis and prevent death
• Prevention and treatment of youth athlete concussion
• Heat advisory and heat acclimatization guidelines for secondary
school athletics
• Guidelines for emergency action plans for athletics
• Guidelines for safe energy drink use by youth athletes
SAFE PLAY ACT PROPOSES THAT …
An amendment be made to the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 to require a state, as a condition of receiving funds under such
Act, to certify that it requires:
• 1. LEAs to implement a standard plan for concussion safety and
management for public schools
• 2. Public schools to post information on the symptoms of, the risks posed
by, and the actions a student should take in response to, a concussion
• 3. Public school personnel who suspect a student has sustained a
concussion in a school-sponsored activity to notify the parents and prohibit
the student from participating in such activity until they receive a written
release from a health care professional
• 4. A public school’s concussion management team to ensure that a student
who has sustained a concussion is receiving appropriate academic
supports
THE VERMONT LAW ALREADY
MANDATES...
• Athletes that undergo a concussion must be removed
from play and may not return to play until completing a 6
step return to play program
• http://education.vermont.gov/documents/EDUAct_58_Concussion_Guidelines.pdf
VERMONT ACT 68
All coaches (every 2 years) and officials of “collision sports” must receive
training in recognizing the symptoms of concussion and how to reduce the
risks of concussion. New coaches and officials of “collision sports” must
receive this training before either coaching or officiating. Information
concerning concussion and its impacts must be provided to student
athletes and their parents at least once per school year.
Student-athletes and parent must acknowledge (sign and return school
form) receipt of the school’s Action Plan.
Student-athlete must be evaluated by and have written permission from a
health care provider (as defined by Act 68) prior to returning to training or
competition.
Action Plan:
Each school must have an action plan with the following policies:
A.
School must designate an individual who make the initial
decision to remove a student athlete from play when it is
suspected the athlete may have suffered a concussion;
B.
School must outline the steps required before a student athlete
can return to athletic or learning activity;
C.
School must designate an individual who will make the final
decision regarding the student’s return to athletic activity; and
D.
School must designate the responsibility for informing
HEADS UP CONCUSSION TRAINING
• The CDC has created a training session for coaches,
parents, and even physicians on what a concussion is,
how to diagnose it, and how to treat and return to play
protocols
• http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.ht
ml
TOOL-KIT
http://www.biavt.org/learn-more/concussiontoolkit.html
RETURN TO LEARN
http://www.biavt.org/images/RTLProtocol.pdf
Heat Advisory and
Heat Acclimatization
Guidelines for
Secondary School
Athletics
SAFE PLAY Act
 Directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to develop public education and
awareness materials and resources to be
disseminated to schools regarding:

risks from exposure to excessive heat and
humidity

recommendations for how to avoid heat-related
illness.

Strategies for heat acclimatization
 Requires public schools to develop excessive
heat action plans for school-sponsored athletic
activities.
What is Heat Illness?
Risk Factors
 Environmental Conditions
 No emergency plan
 Barriers to Evaporative Heat Loss
 Minimal access to fluids before
 Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature the
Previous Day and Night
 Inappropriate work-to-rest ratios
 Predisposing medical conditions
 Lack of education and
awareness
 Overzealousness or reluctance to
report problems, issues, or
illnesses Inadequate heat
acclimatization
 High muscle mass-to-body fat
ratio
and during practice and rest
breaks
 Delay in recognition of early
warning signs
 High intensity of exercise and/or
poor physical conditioning
 Sleep loss
 Dehydration or inadequate
water intake
 Use of diuretics or certain
medications
 Skin disorder
Prevention of Heat Illness
 PPE to detect risk factors
 Acclimatization
 Sick athletes should not be allowed to
participate
 Maintaining hydration
 Education
 Work to Rest ratio
For More Information
 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses
 VERMONT PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION -
Procedure for Athletic Participation in the
HEAT
 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration – Heat Safety
Acclimatization
 14-day heat acclimatization period
 Goal: to increase exercise heat tolerance
and enhance the ability to exercise safely
and effectively in warm and hot conditions
 Should begin on the first day of practice or
conditioning prior to the start of regular
season
 All student athletes should follow the
program, even those who arrive after the
first day of practice
14-day heat acclimatization
period
Effects on Youth
Safe Play Act and Energy
Drinks
H.R. 829-SAFE PLAY
H.R. 829 directs the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) to develop
information and guidelines on energy
drink consumption.
What is in an Energy Drink?
⦿“
Energy drinks are beverages that
contain caffeine, taurine, vitamins,
herbal supplements, and sugar or
sweeteners, and are marketed to
improve energy, weight loss, stamina,
athletic performance, and
concentration”.
Energy Drink Vs. Sports Drink
⦿
Energy Drinks
⦿
Sports Drinks
● Designed to act as a
● Increase endurance,
stimulant
● Quick bursts of
energy
● Contain mostly
caffeine and sugar
replace electrolytes,
rehydrate
● Contain mostly
carbohydrates,
potassium, and
sodium
○ Caffeine level not
regulated by FDA
Nutritional Information
Drink
Rockstar
Serving
8fl. oz
Sugar
Per
Serving
30g
Caffeine
Per
Serving
⦿
Sugar
● Spikes blood sugar
and gives consumer a
sugar high
80mg
○ Sugar crash
Full
Throttle
8fl. oz
29g
72mg
Monster
Energy
XXL
8fl. oz
27g
80mg
Red Bull
8.3fl. oz
27g
80mg
⦿
Caffeine and
Guarana
● Stimulants
○ Temporary energy
Effects on the Body
⦿
Short Term
● Brain
○ Blocks effects of
adenosine leading to
insomnia
○ Fight or flight
response releasing
adrenaline
● Heart
○ Adrenaline increases
heart rate
● Dehydration
● Diuretic effect
⦿
Long Term
● Diabetes
● Cavities
● Obesity
○ Increasing cortisol
levels
Premature aging
● Inconsistent sleeping
patterns
●
Risks Associated with Energy
Drinks
⦿ Caffeine
overdose
● Heart palpitations, high blood pressure,
nausea/vomiting, possible death
⦿ Type
2 diabetes
⦿ Miscarriages
⦿ Poor dental health
⦿ Obesity
References
Heneman, K., Zinderberg-Cherr, S. (2007). Some Facts About Energy
Drinks. Nutrition and Health Info-Sheet. Department of Nutrition
University of California
Fox News. (2014). How energy drinks affect your body.
National Health Services UK. (2014). Warnings issued over energy
drinks.
S. M. Seifert, J. Schaechter, E. Hershorin, S. Lipshultz. (2011). Health
Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and young Adults.
Pediatrics. 127. 3 511-522.
The National Athletic Trainers
Association Supports the SAFE
PLAY Act
NATA Past President Jim Thornton's thoughts:
“Having an athletic trainer in every secondary school makes it safer for the
student athletes.”
Why not pass this an act that makes it safer for your
children as they play spor ts?
Reasons to have an Athletic Trainer at every secondary school:
•Skilled at developing E m e r g e n c y A c t i o n P l a n s which every secondary
school should have
•Trained in managing c a r d i a c emergencies
•Trained in c o n c u s s i o n assessment and management
•Trained in detecting and managing h e a t i l l n e s s e s early before they become
critical
P l aye r s a f e t y i s i n c r e a s e d b y h av i n g a l i c e n s e d h e a l t h c a r e
provider at all sporting activities!
How YOU can help
• NATA urges you to become a Co-sponsor of H.R.
829 by contacting
• Michael Barnard with Senator Robert Menendez
• Michael_Barnard@mail.house.govor
• Erick Siahaan with Representative Lois Capps
• Erick.Siahaan@mail.house.govor
Supporting Athletes, Family and Educators to
Protect the Lives of Athletic Youth (SAFE
PLAY) Act
• This Act will increase awareness on concussions, heat
illnesses and the consumption of energy drinks which will
in turn increase the safety and health of our student
athletes.
• Get this Act into congress and your school will be better
prepared to prevent and manage these conditions.
For more information contact:
Amy Callender, Director of Government Affairs for NATA at
(972)-532-8853
QUESTIONS?
Tyler Hoare, Audrey Wostal, Meghan Els, Shelby
Alberghini, Rebecca Swart, Tyler Konopka, Michaela
Babineau, Caitlin Ryan and Megan Wilberg