WEDNESDAY, Feb. 22, 2012 (HealthDay News) -- New guidelines outlining the causes and prevention of sudden death among athletes were released this week by the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA) in the United States.
"These guidelines were developed for any level of sports participation, and to truly help save a life," NATA President Marjorie Albohm said in an association news release. "It is also critical that a school, team or league's medical professionals have an emergency action plan in place. In the event that an injury occurs, every minute counts when it comes to appropriate care and transport of the athlete."
"While collegiate and professional teams have athletic trainers on staff to prevent and treat injuries, only 42 percent of high schools have access to our members," Albohm noted. "Legislation is improving, though, with 35 states and Washington, D.C., having passed youth sports safety laws. And the NFL just mandated new guidelines requiring athletic trainers in booths during games to watch for hard hits and concussions."
The new position statement includes many recommendations for preventing sudden death among athletes. Here are some of the highlights:
The position statement appears in the February issue of the Journal of Athletic Training.
More information
Washington University has more on preventing sudden death in young athletes.