Sports Medicine Advisory Committee
Minutes
September 3, 2003 • 7 p.m.
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida
1. Purpose and Introductions
Dr. John Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Dr. Stewart at this time noted the purpose of the meeting and went through brief introductions of the members in attendance. Members present were: Dr. Kris Stowers, Tallahassee; Dr. J. Douglas McDonald, Gainesville; Mr. David Wilson, Lincoln High School, Tallahassee; Dr. Jeff Matilsky, Gainesville; and Mrs. Mary B. Walker, Fernandina Beach. FHSAA staff members present were: Dr. John Stewart, Associate Commissioner for Athletic Operations; Cecelia S. Jackson, Director of Athletics; M. Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director of Athletics; and Tamara J. Wilsey, Associate Director of Athletics. Ms. Callet, a student attending University of Florida, attended as a visitor.
2. Review agenda and complete expense vouchers
There was a motion to accept the Jan. 14, 2003 minutes and approve the agenda by Mr. McDonald and seconded by Mrs. Walker. Passed 5-0. Mr. Thornton commented on the results of the advisory committee’s recommendations and actions from the January 14 meeting.
Of note: the language in the state statute has been edited to read in a manner more conducive to allowing physicians/doctors to continue with physicals as in the past. Additionally, Mr. Thornton reported on the status of the feasibility study for the poster campaign regarding “Communicable Skin Condition for the Sport of Wrestling.” There will be a more detailed follow-up report at the Jan. 13, 2004 meeting. Dr. Stowers noted that with the present physical form and language, mass screening cannot be completed in the same manner, as has been practiced in his area in the past. The committee still has some concern regarding the cardiovascular language, but there was a consensus that the present language is much improved.
3. Approval of Jan. 14, 2003 SMAC Meeting Minutes
Mr. Thornton reported that Mr. Larry Kaye had been scheduled to make a presentation to the committee, but was unable to attend. However, Mr. Kaye did provide printed materials for the committee to review at the appropriate time. This being the only correction in the agenda, through consensus, the committee adopted the agenda
4. Review Minutes of NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Meeting May 3-5, 2003
The committee reviewed the minutes from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee held in May 3-5, 2003. The following items were of special note: 1) concussions and 2) pre-participation evaluations. Concussions received further discussion because it was an agenda item. Mrs. Walker and Dr. Stowers reported that their respective areas implement physical/pre-participation evaluations in similar ways as indicated in the NFHS minutes: students first entering their schools receive a detailed physical evaluation, and check-up in physicals/thereafter, unless a known injury happened or medical condition has evolved since the initial, detailed physical.
Committee Report: Dr. Stewart directed Dr. Stowers and Mrs. Walker to form an ad-hoc committee to report in writing its procedures used for pre-participation evaluations (physicals) for the Association.
5. Review information on Equipment Reducing Heat Exhaustion by PROMIST Systems
The committee reviewed the information submitted by Mr. Larry Kaye of PROMIST Systems. The committee acknowledged that the product plays a viable role in reducing the possibility of heat exhaustion, particularly in the sport of football, but the committee was in no position to endorse one company’s product for sales to the Board of Directors for the Association. Mr. Wilson mentioned that some member schools have purchased this product or one similar to it.
6. Review of Sports Medicine Advisory Questionnaire
The committee reviewed the contents of the questionnaire and its results with no formal comments.
7. Review Article, “Supplements: Who Needs Them?”
The committee reviewed the contents of the article and discussed its concern regarding the use of supplements. There is great concern where the use of supplements are concerned for high school athletes, however, it appears that non-coaches, i.e. parents, other students, etc. intensifies the concern for the use and abuse of supplements. The committee’s opinion is “does it really promote a level playing field, when some student-athletes use supplements and some do not?”
8. Review Article, “Jolt of Reality” from Apr. 7, 2003 Sports Illustrated
The committee discussed its concern regarding supplements further, acknowledging the on-going problems in supplements abuse. Some supplements of concern, as outlined in the article are: Ephedra, Synephine, Androstenedione, Androstenediol, Creatine, and Human Growth Hormone Booster.
Recommendation: The committee recommends a feasibility study of a poster campaign regarding “Supplements and Their Effects”.
ADAC comments: The theme “Nothing Beats Hard Work” is a plausible theme for a campaign regarding supplements. (9/10/03)
9. Review GSSF Sports Science News Article, Ephedrine-Containing Supplements”
Having discussed supplements at length, the committee reviewed this article with no additional comments.
Committee Report: Staff to identify the NFHS Curriculum for the Coaches’ Education Program as it relates to supplement(s) use by high school athletes.
10. Review Article, “Age May Play Role in Recovery Following Sports Related Concussions”
The committee agreed that there is not enough information to establish a statement from the study of concussions and determining when an athlete may return to play. There is great variability in post concussion assessment. Mrs. Walker identified a handout that her area provides for parents for symptoms to look for, after a student-athlete has sustained a concussion, regardless of the severity of the concussion.
11. Review Article, “ImPACT: Computerized Evaluation and Management of Sports Concussion”
The committee reviewed literature that promotes software that evaluates student-athletes after having sustained a concussion as one of several assessment tools in determining whether a student-athlete is “ready to return to play.” Although some colleges use this software, it was noted that an initial use of the program must establish a baseline and it is also only ONE method of assessment used with several other methods.
12. Review Amendments to State Statutes Regarding Pre-participation Medical Evaluation
The committee discussed this earlier when approving the minutes from the Jan. 14, 2003 meeting.
13. Recommendations
Allow team Athletic Trainers to sit on sidelineswith their own teams during play-offs. (Submitted by Mrs. Walker)
Staff noted that currently policy allows athletic trainers to sit on the bench with the teams at state events, i.e. basketball, volleyball, etc. However, schools are afforded what is considered to be more than an adequate number of “floor passes” to each participating school. It is the principal’s discretion in determining who actually gets the passes. In most cases, the coach does not include the trainer, thereby denying the trainer access to the floor as desired. Additionally, the host of FHSAA state finals events provides Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainers at its events.
Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainers must bepresent at all play-offs from districts to state finals. (Submitted byMrs. Walker)
Staff noted some logistical concerns regarding the host responsibility to provide a Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer, i.e. funding, availability, liability, trainer’s familiarity with the visiting teams’ student-athletes, etc.
ADAC comments: The athletic directors’ committee is not “comfortable” with “requiring” a trainer at “all events”. An additional concern is relative to the emphasis placed on “certified athletic trainer”; the committee feels that a medical doctor, EMT, etc. is sufficient for medical purposes as well and prefers to emphasize the need for medical assistance rather than any one group. Although such a recommendation is beneficial, there are some logistical concerns, i.e. establishing the qualifications of the athletic trainer, protocol when both a home and visiting trainer are present, etc.
Committee Report: Mrs. Walker and Mr. Thornton will prepare a report identifying a cost analysis for providing an certified/licensed athletic trainer at all state series events.
Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.