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. 2008 Jul-Aug;43(4):416-27.
doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-43.4.416.

Summary statement: appropriate medical care for the secondary school-aged athlete

Jon Almquist  1 , Tamara C Valovich McLeod, Angela Cavanna, Dave Jenkinson, Andrew E Lincoln, Keith Loud, Bart C Peterson, Craig Portwood, John Reynolds, Thomas S Woods
Affiliations

Summary statement: appropriate medical care for the secondary school-aged athlete

Jon Almquist et al. J Athl Train. 2008 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To present the recommendations made by the Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School-Aged Athletes Task Force and to summarize the subsequent monograph developed around 11 consensus points.

Data sources: The MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SportDiscus databases were searched for relevant literature regarding secondary school-aged athletes; health care administration; preparticipation physical examination; facilities; athletic equipment; emergency action planning; environmental conditions; recognition, evaluation, and treatment of injuries; rehabilitation and reconditioning; psychosocial consultation; nutrition; and prevention strategies.

Conclusions and recommendations: Organizations that sponsor athletic programs for secondary school-aged athletes should establish an athletic health care team to ensure that appropriate medical care is provided to all participants. The 11 consensus points provide a framework-one that is supported by the medical literature and case law-for the development of an athletic health care team and for assigning responsibilities to the team, administrators, and staff members of institutions sponsoring secondary school and club-level athletic programs.

Keywords: adolescents; athletic injuries; high schools; safety.

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Figures

Figure
Figure. relationship between the athletic health care team and the on-site personnel. a Denotes core members of the athletic health care team.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. CDC Injury Research Agenda. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2002.
    1. Powell J.W, Barber-Foss K.D. Injury patterns in selected high school sports: a review of the 1995–1997 seasons. J Athl Train. 1999;34(3):277–284. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Almquist J.L, Valovich McLeod T, Cavanna A, et al. Appropriate medical care for the secondary school–age athlete communication. http://www.nata.org/statements/support/secondary_school_medcarecommunica.... Accessed July 7, 2007. - PMC - PubMed