Sports Medicine EMR Articles

New MA State Regs Enhance Concussion Awareness and Safety for Students

Written by Tim Clark | Aug 2, 2024 1:46:13 PM

Local high school athletic directors, coaches, and trainers are preparing to implement new Massachusetts state regulations that mandate training for student athletes on how to avoid head injuries and require monitoring of those who sustain them.

These regulations, established by the Public Health Council and other state health authorities, aim to increase awareness of the long-term consequences of concussions.

Under the proposed rules, public middle and high schools must keep records of head injuries, and doctors unfamiliar with sports-related injuries will require additional training.

While these regulations apply mainly to public schools, private schools affiliated with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) are also subject to the law. North Attleboro High School Athletic Director Kurt Kummer stated: 

"This law is to make everybody aware of the dangers of concussions."

He uses software to assess concussions and test young athletes' cognitive abilities post-injury. Despite the number of concussions remaining consistent, Kummer noted increased awareness and monitoring by coaches and Athletic Trainers.

The regulations emphasize better training for coaches and ATs to prevent concussions and require a more rapid response and improved treatment.

Part of this strategy involves mandatory online training programs for student athletes and their parents, who must complete the courses before participating in sports.

Barry Haley, MIAA president, said:

"Having educated student athletes, parents, school nurses, and trainers who have good communication is just one part of managing kids and determining when it is safe for kids to go back to playing."

Despite challenges in implementing the law swiftly, Haley highlights the need for increased resources at the youth sports level to enhance education for parents and coaches.

Read the full story on the Sun Chronicle here