NEBRASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE SPORTS MEDICINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The NSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) met January 23, 2008 at the Nebraska School Activities Association Office, Lincoln, Nebraska, with members present as follows:

Dr. Kody Moffatt, Chair

Scott Martens, ATC

Joe Kutlas, Grand Island High School Athletic Director

Doug Long, ATC

Dr. Thomas Heiser

Dr. Dennis Connolly

Dr. Jim Tenopir, Executive Director NSAA

Bud Dahlstrom, NSAA

Jennifer Schwartz, NSAA

Committee member Dr. Bernie Keown, was not present.

The meeting was called to order at 1:10 p.m.

The committee reviewed the NSAA pre-participation physical examination form and discussed the concerns brought forth by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The committee recommended that the current NSAA pre-participation physical examination form be modified to include an option for the parents/guardians to release the physical information and the results of the physical exam to the child’s school for the purposes of athletic participation. The committee reaffirmed its position that it is a violation of HIPAA to give the pre-participation examination form and the results to the school without parental/guardian consent. This recommendation will be taken to the NSAA Board of Control for their consideration.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA was discussed. The committee felt schools need to continually educate their athletes about prevention through good hygiene and schools need to take prompt care of those athletes with MRSA. The committee recommended that the NSAA adopt the “Return to Play” guidelines in Dr. Holly Benjamin’s article in the September 2007 issue of Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. This recommendation will be taken to the NSAA Board of Control for their consideration.

Darin Boysen, NSAA, gave a brief report to the committee regarding the second year of the NSAA Wrestling Weight Management Program.

Heat and hydration were discussed as it impacts Nebraska athletes primarily in early fall and late spring outdoor activities. The committee agreed to form a sub-committee to begin gathering information and research to determine if the NSAA needs to develop a policy and if so, what that policy would be. Members of the sub-committee are Joe Kutlas, Scott Martens, and Dr. Dennis Connelly.

The committee reviewed a position statement regarding nutrition authored by Nicole Brandes-Thompson, Dr. Bernie Keown, and Doug Long. The committee thanked them for their efforts and recommended the final revision be taken to the NSAA Board of Control for their approval.

The committee recommended that a sub-committee be established to study concussions. Members of the sub-committee are Dr. Kody Moffatt, Dr. Thomas Heiser, and Scott Martens.

There being no further items, the SMAC adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

___________________________________

Jennifer Schwartz

Assistant Director