The Prevalence of Secondary School Sport Safety Policies within State Athletic Associations and Legislation

Authors

Samantha E. Scarneo, Korey Stringer Institute, University of ConnecticutFollow
William M. Adams, University of North Carolina GreensboroFollow
Susan W. Yeargin, University of South CarolinaFollow
Madeline A. Konz, Korey Stringer Institute, University of ConnecticutFollow
James E. Potter, Korey Stringer Institute, University of ConnecticutFollow
Douglas J. Casa, Korey Stringer Institute, University of ConnecticutFollow

Abstract

Purpose: The location of secondary school health and safety policies impacts how they are implemented by the sports medicine team and stakeholders. Yet, a comprehensive list of each state’s policy locations has not been established. The purpose of this study was to describe where secondary school health and safety policies were located at the state level within the United States. Method: Emergency related health and safety policies were designated as either being located in the state high school athletics association (SHSAA), state legislation (LEGIS), or in both SHSAA and LEGIS (BOTH). Designation was determined by two researchers who independently reviewed each individual policy. Frequencies were tabulated for the leading causes of catastrophic injury (exertional heat stroke (EHS), traumatic head injuries (THI), sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and emergency preparedness (EP)) for the distribution of policies emanating from SHSSA, LEGIS or BOTH. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated between the policies categories and location. Results: Most (99.35%) EHS and EP (83.02%) policies were found in SHSAA. Whereas the majority (79.70%) of SCA policies were found in LEGIS. Traumatic head injuries were most frequently observed in SHSAA, however, had the greatest distribution across all three categories (SHSAA=45.31%, LEGIS=25.52%, BOTH = 29.16%). The category that most frequently found policies in BOTH was THI (THI= 29.16%, all others =2.25%; PR=12.96; 95% CI=7.81, 21.53). Conclusions: Emergency related health and safety policies for secondary school sports are commonly found in SHSAA. TBI and SCA are also found in LEGIS. This demonstrates great variability of policy locations.

Author Bio(s)

Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, PhD, ATC, is the Vice President of Sport Safety for the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. She is also a certified athletic trainer.

William M. Adams, PhD, ATC, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro in Greensboro, NC. He is also a certified athletic trainer.

Susan W. Yeargin, PhD, ATC, is an Associate Professor of Athletic Training in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. She is also a certified athletic trainer.

Madeline A. Konz, BS, EMT is a student research assistant for the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. She is also an emergency medical technician.

James E. Potter, BS, ATC is a student research assistant for the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. He is also a certified athletic trainer.

Douglas J. Casa, PhD, ATC is the Chief Executive Officer of the Korey Stringer Institute and a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2020.1961

Recommended Citation

Scarneo SE, Adams WM, Yeargin SW, Konz MA, Potter JE, Casa DJ. The Prevalence of Secondary School Sport Safety Policies within State Athletic Associations and Legislation. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2020 Jan 01;18(4), Article 17.