Health and Safety Library
Welcome to the Health and Safety Library. If you see a topic that peaks your interest, click learn more to review the complete article.
Goalpost Safety
Review the goalpost safety manual provided by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission by clicking here.
Lightning Safety Outdoors
By NOAA Weather Radio
Each year, about 400 children and adults in the U.S. are struck by lightning while working outside, at sports events, on the beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities. About 80 people are killed and several hundred more are left to cope with permanent disabilities. Many of these tragedies can be avoided. Finishing the game, getting a tan, or completing a work shift aren't worth death or crippling injury. 
A Report on Knee Injuries
Dr. Don Kirkendall
There are lots of soccer injury statistics in sports medicine magazines. As mentioned in a prior article, the ankle is the most injured body part, but the knee follows.
Sports Training - How Much is Too Much?
By Lyle Micheli, M.D.
Kids are starting sports earlier and training harder. Incentives to win are growing, sometimes literally - I've seen trophies almost bigger than the little athletes who've won them! With higher stakes have come pressures to perform better by being fitter and more skilled. Usually, this is achieved through repetition, repetition, repetition - whether it is serving a tennis ball, pitching a baseball, or performing a figure-skating double axel.
The Spectator’s First Aid Kit
Author: NCSS Information Team
It is not only important for coaches to be prepared in emergency situations, but for parents and friends to be prepared as well. The National Center for Sports Safety recommends that spectators carry a first aid kit of their own to games and practices. This kit should include the items listed, click learn more to review the recommended items.
Athletic Nutrition for Young Athletes
By Erin O'Neill
In a period when many parents enroll their children in organized sports, it is imperative that basic nutrition guidelines for young athletes be followed. This will help these children to progress to their desirable potentials. Along with their improvement in performance, a healthy diet may reduce injury, reduce recovery time between competitions, make them feel better both physically and mentally, and create healthy eating habits for life.
Benefits of Stretching
By Kim Stewart
Sports today have become very popular and competitive among people of all ages, even young children. A number of athletes want to learn how to bring their game to the next level. Sometimes this means breaking ineffective techniques as well as beginning new and unfamiliar habits. Sticking to something new can be difficult, especially when results may not be see immediately. But, if the athlete understands and truly believes in the benefits, then adherence by be stronger. As a coach, part of your role is to facilitate any knowledge of ways to enhance an athlete's performance, whether it may be optimizing physical or mental capabilities or preventing injuries. With this in mind, a major factor that can contribute to an athlete's success is to understand all of the values of proper stretching.
Care and Prevention of Ankle Sprains
By members of the US Soccer Sports Medicine Committee
The basic anatomy of the ankle and mechanism of the most common ankle sprain, the inversion sprain that damages the outside of the ankle, was described. In this issue, we will describe how ankle sprains can be prevented and rehabilitated.
Coach, My Ankle Hurts!
By Steve Bender
Actually, the exact words I heard last August were "Dad, my ankle hurts!" It was at the end of our third practice of the season, and she hadn't done anything that day that might have injured it. I was surprised because she had never complained about pain. Whenever she was kicked or cleated, all she ever said was a quick "Ow!" and went on playing.
Common Injury Terms
By Mark Adams, M.D.
Reprinted with permission from "The Champion Within" by Lauren Gregg.
A common terminology extends across the spectrum of injury. An understanding of the basic medical terms associated with sports medicine may make understanding your injury easier. The following are common injury terms.
Common Sports Injury - Muscle Soreness
By members of the US Soccer Sports Medicine Committee
Muscle soreness is a common sports injury. Caused by working too hard for too long, muscle soreness is not only painful; it can also cause restricted range of motion. Muscle aches can strike during the latter stages of exercise, immediately after exercise, or 12 to 48 hours after exercise. No matter when the aches hit, there are steps you can take to ease the pain. Better yet, there are ways to prevent muscle aches all together.
Eating to Play
By Dr. Don Kirkendall
A letter was sent to the editors requesting information about eating around game times. With the new season nearly upon us, it is probably a good time to review some topics associated with nutrition and sports performance.
Fluids
By members of the US Soccer Sports Medicine Committee
These days, drinking fluids during exercise is considered normal behavior. The importance of drinking water was first documented during the construction of the Hoover Dam near Las Vegas in the mid-1930's. Unfortunately, the athletic community didn't catch on until the middle 1960's. In the late 60's and early 70's, the opinion of many began to shift and drinking water during exercise started to become commonplace. Nowadays, withholding water might even be considered negligent.
Four Common Myths About Nutrition Among Soccer Players
Dr. Donald T. Kirkendall
There are more myths that coaches, players and parents may be following, but below four of the more common myths are dispelled. By following the nutritional guidelines below, players, coaches and teams can put themselves in an advantageous position before the match starts. Click learn more to read Dr. Donald T. Kirkendall, who works with U.S. Soccer's National Teams, report on these myths.
The Hamstring Epidemic - Pre-Game Preparation and Injury Prevention
By Marc R. Bernier
Over the past several decades, the general public has been inundated with information from sports medicine practitioners regarding the prevention of hamstring injuries. One of the focal points of these injury prevention programs has been the use of static stretches as the primary deterrent for hamstring strains, or “pulls” (static stretches are defined as stretching a muscle to lengthened position and holding for a set time; for example bending over and trying to touch your toes and holding for 20 seconds). Unfortunately, the use of static stretches as an injury preventative measure has not been justified by clinical scientific research, which casts some doubt on its usefulness and effectiveness. The goal of this article is to: discuss the appropriate use of static stretches; and discuss the role of the pre-event warm-up in preventing injuries.
ACL Injury and the Female Soccer Player
April is National Sports Safety Month
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has received a lot of press over the past several years, especially in how it relates to the female athlete. Much of the attention has focused on the seemingly higher injury rates in female athletes as compared to males. Numerous research studies that have been conducted over the past 10 years indicate that females are indeed more susceptible to ACL injuries; most studies report that females are 4-8 times more likely to tear this ligament. The heavily pursued goal that many in the medical community have tried to answer is determining the specific reasons why females suffer from this injury more than males.
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