HB 143 - Youth Sports Unveiled

Contact:
(c) : 216-513-6962; president@oata.org
Hollie Kozak, M.Ed, AT – President The Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association Supports HB143 – Youth Sports Injuries
The Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association supports HB 143, which was introduced today by Representatives Stinziano (D) and O’Brien (D). The Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) legislation as proposed would require both school sponsored sports and youth sports organizations to adhere to certain requirements for the appropriate evaluation of head injuries and concussions before an athlete is permitted to return to participation.

The OATA is honored to be a part of the group of healthcare providers who have provided input to develop the legislation. We commend Dr. Kelsey Logan from Ohio State Sports Medicine for her leadership in spearheading this legislation along with the cooperation and support of The Brain Injury Association of Ohio for their leadership related to this legislation.

Hollie Kozak, President of the OATA stated, "Last year we worked closely with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) related to Concussion/TBI management and guidelines. We are excited that we will now be able to expand this effort to ALL youth sports programs to provide a means of education, accountability and safety for youth participating in sports."

"It comes down to youth sports safety", states Dr. Kelsey Logan, member of the OATA Physician’s Advisory Committee and Ohio State Sports Medicine, "We have to protect our children and provide for the best possible safeguards. Oftentimes concussions are overlooked because there is no noticeable swelling, bruising, x-rays showing an injury."
Dr. Tom Pommering, Medical Director for Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Program reminds everyone that "just because the athlete did not lose consciousness or their MRI or CT Scan was negative does not mean that they did not sustain a concussion." Pommering adds, "Symptoms of a concussion may be more subtle and may not present themselves at first."

"It is important to note that studies have shown that adolescents’

As advocates for the health and safety of those who participate in sports at all levels, the OATA believes in a statewide education initiative to help educate parents, coaches, officials and athletes about concussion signs, symptoms, and return to play guidelines. HB 143 will provide a comprehensive education effort and training for parents, athletes, coaches and officials on the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury and concussions.

"Care of injuries and return to play (RTP) decisions are best handled by qualified healthcare professionals rather than being relegated to coaches, parents, school or recreation administrators. We believe that a combination of set guidelines, as well as education across the state related to injury recognition and prevention will reduce the long term effects of injuries, aid in their prevention. In addition, this removes the liability of coaches, parents and administrators from making health care decisions they are ill-prepared to make", states Dr. Jason Dapore, Team Physician for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio Health and member of the OATA Physician Advisory Committee.
For more information about the OATA, go to www.oata.org. For more information related to concussions, visit www.cdc.gov brains may require several weeks to heal following a concussion; and that the younger the athlete, the longer recovery takes. Studies also show that symptoms tend to worsen with physical and cognitive exertion, therefore special attention needs to be made to insure that adequate rest is afforded before resuming sports participation," states Dr. Tom Bartsokas, Sports Medicine Physician at Summa Health System and OATA Physician Advisory Committee member.