Union County Review

Athletic trainers in high school sports play a crucial role in managing potential concussions, and a recent study suggests they could significantly benefit from improved standards and education. Conducted by James Stavitz, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Kean University, the research highlights the numerous decisions athletic trainers face that could be better informed through standardized protocols and clear return-to-play guidelines.

Stavitz noted that "one of the primary barriers is the external pressure athletic trainers face from coaches, parents and the athletes themselves to clear the athletes for play as quickly as possible." This pressure often leads to prioritizing short-term performance over long-term health. Stavitz's research aims to provide evidence-based goals to assist athletic trainers in making decisions that focus on athlete health rather than swift clearance.

The study was published in the journal Concussion and featured on Headcheck Health's blog. Through interviews, Stavitz identified issues such as pressure from coaches and parents to expedite student-athletes' return to play. He found many trainers lack access to standardized concussion assessment tools or protocols and struggle to find nearby physicians with specialized expertise in concussion management.

James F. Konopack, Ph.D., dean of Kean’s College of Health Professions and Human Services, emphasized that "Dr. Stavitz's work makes a valuable contribution to sports medicine" and aligns with Kean University's mission as an urban research institution. The study underscores the need for increased awareness of the pressures faced by athletic trainers and concussion's long-term effects on athletes' health.

Stavitz stressed "the role of collaboration between athletic trainers and schools," along with cooperation among coaches, parents, and athletes. The study indicates that no two concussions are identical; thus, best practices require a multifaceted approach using clinical evaluations, symptom checklists, neurocognitive assessments, and balance assessments.

Limited resources in many school athletics settings pose challenges for consistently implementing these best practices, raising concerns about equity in care. Stavitz advocates for well-established concussion protocols and effective communication to mitigate decision-making risks.

"It all comes down to resisting the pressure," he stated. "Once schools adopt certain standards, it becomes easier to follow them."