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OSAA Health & Safety


Oregon Athletic
Trainers Society

NFHS
Sports Medicine

OSAA Health and Safety Information

The information listed on this page is designed to assist schools, parents, and students in keeping student-athletes healthy and safe when dealing with a variety of issues. We encourage you to contact the OSAA staff directly (info@osaa.org) if you have questions regarding the following information.

Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council

Sport Nutrition


Sports Nutrition Instagraphics

From recovery nutrition to bone health to lactose intolerance and hydration, these instagraphics provide sports dietitian-recommended tips and short descriptions of the important points on eight topics.




NFHS Concussion in
Sports Training Course

Concussions and Concussion Management

» OSAA Athletic Director and Coach Requirements
» OATS Concussion for Schools without an Athletic Trainer

» Concussion Management Policy
» Medical Release - Return to Learn Medical Release
» Medical Release - Return to Participation Medical Release Following a Concussion

» Concussion - Private School Informed Consent Form

» The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT)
» CBIRT Return to Academics Protocol After Concussion
» CBIRT Academic Accommodations Matrix
» CBIRT Post-Concussion Academic Accommodation Protocol
» Oregon Concussion Awareness and Management Program (OCAMP)

» Returning to Learn Following a Concussion
» CDC Heads Up Website
» A Parent's Guide to Concussions
» NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports
» OSAA Concussion Information and Sideline Concussion Guide

Questions and Answers about Return to Play

Q. After an athlete suffers a concussion, what needs to be done before the athlete can return to sports participation?
A.Oregon law requires the:
1. The athlete no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion
and
2.Recieves a medical release from a "qualified" Health Care Professional.


Q. Who is considered a "qualified" Health Care Professional?
A. A physician (M.D. or D.O.), Physician Assistant (PA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Psychologist licensed or certified in Oregon can provide a medical release. Other professionals include: Chiropractic Doctor (DC), Naturopathic Doctor (ND), Physical Therapist (PT), and Occupational Therapist (OT).


Q. Can an athlete with a suspected concussion return to participate on the day of the injury?
A. Any athlete suspected of a concussion must be removed from play immediately and cannot return to play until receiving a release from a medical profession no sooner that the following day, with one exception. If an athletic trainer or physician licensed or registered in Oregon determines that the athlete has not suffered a concussion the athlete may return to play that day.

Q. How quickly can the athlete return to play following a concussion?
A. Best practice recommends the athlete complete a gradual return to participation protocol. This is a 6-step process with each step increasing exertional demands on the athlete.

Air Quality Guidelines

Revised February 2024
Excerpt 2023‐24 OSAA Handbook, Executive Board Policies

These guidelines, created in consultation with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), provide a default policy to those responsible or sharing duties for making decisions concerning the cancelation, suspension, and/or restarting of practices and contests based on poor air quality.

A. Designate Personnel: Given the random behavior of wind and air currents, air quality may change quickly. Schools shall designate someone who will monitor the air quality prior to and during outdoor activities. While typically due to wildfires, schools need to also consider non-wildfire situations if the air quality is unhealthy.

B. Areas With Air Reporting Stations: The Air Quality Index (AQI) should be monitored throughout the day, and during an event, to have the best data possible to make informed decisions about conducting practices and competitions. Schools should always defer to the monitor that is the nearest physical distance to the practice or contest facility. School personnel shall review the AQI information for all regions throughout the state to determine if action is necessary (see chart below). Schools shall regularly review the AQI throughout events to assess deteriorating conditions. School personnel shall use the AirNow Fire and Smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. This map shows circles for DEQ/AirNow monitors and squares for Purple Air monitors. Purple Air monitors have been calibrated by EPA to provide data comparable to permanent monitors.

C. Areas Without Air Reporting Stations: If air monitoring equipment is not available, member schools should utilize the 5-3-1 Visibility Index to determine air quality.

  1. 5-3-1 Visibility Index: Making visual observations using the 5-3-1 Visibility Index is a simple way to estimate air quality and know what precautions to take. While this method can be useful, you should always use caution and avoid going outside if visibility is limited, especially if you are sensitive to smoke.
    1. Determine the limit of your visual range by looking for distant targets or familiar landmarks such as mountains, mesas, hills, or buildings at known distances. The visual range is that point at which these targets are no longer visible. As a rule of thumb: If you can clearly see the outlines of individual trees on the horizon it is generally less than five miles away. It is highly recommended that schools use pre-determined landmarks that were established on a clear day to determine their visual range.
    2. Ideally, the viewing of any distant targets should be made with the sun behind you. Looking into the sun or at an angle increases the ability of sunlight to reflect off of the smoke, thus making the visibility estimate less reliable.
    3. Be aware that conditions may change rapidly and always use the more conservative of multiple metrics (AQI, 5-3-1 Visibility Index, etc.).

D. Act: This chart will help determine the action needed based on the air quality in your area.

Air Quality Index (AQI) 5-3-1 Visibility Index Required Actions for Outdoor Activities
51 - 100 5-15 Miles Athletes who are unusually sensitive to air pollution should consider indoor activities only. Athletes with asthma should have rescue inhalers readily available and pretreat before exercise if directed by their healthcare provider. All athletes with respiratory illness, asthma, lung or heart disease should monitor symptoms and reduce/cease activity if symptoms arise. Increase rest periods as needed.
101 - 150 3-5 Miles Athletes who are unusually sensitive to air pollution should consider indoor activities only. Athletes with asthma should have rescue inhalers readily available and pretreat before exercise if directed by their healthcare provider. All athletes with respiratory illness, asthma, lung or heart disease should monitor symptoms and reduce/cease activity if symptoms arise. Athletes with asthma or other lung diseases, heart conditions or diabetes may need additional rest breaks during practices / contests. Consider rescheduling to a different time and / or an area with a lower AQI. Schools should consider the impact of elevated AQI lasting for multiple days and the impact of prolonged exposure for athletes and staff on multiple practice session days when making decisions. Consider moving practices indoors, if available. Be aware that, depending on a venue’s ventilation system, indoor air quality levels can approach outdoor levels.
151 - 200 1-3 Miles All outdoor activities (practice and competition) shall be canceled or moved to an area with a lower AQI. Move practices indoors, if available. Be aware that, depending on a venue’s ventilation system, indoor air quality levels can approach outdoor levels.
>200 1 Mile All outdoor activities (practice and competition) shall be canceled or moved to an area with a lower AQI. Move practices indoors, if available. Be aware that, depending on a venue’s ventilation system, indoor air quality levels can approach outdoor levels.

E. Additional Resources: Schools may also refer to OHA's fact sheet regarding School Outdoor Activities During Wildfire Events at https://apps.state.or.us/Forms/Served/le8815h.pdf.

F. Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Rules: Schools should familiarize themselves with Oregon OSHA permanent rules adopted in Summer 2022 regarding reducing heat and wildfire smoke outdoor workplace exposure for employees. OSHA resources can be accessed here for Heat – https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/topics/heat-stress.aspx and Wildfires https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/topics/wildfires.aspx.

Student Wellness


Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Campaign

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

Crisis Text Line

Text TALK to 741741

Call to Action for School

» Suicide Prevention
Equip your coaches, athletic directors, and adult advisors for
extra-curricular activities in suicide prevention as student
athletes return to play.


Articles

Resources


Lightning Safety Guidelines

Revised Fall 2018
Excerpt 2023‐24 OSAA Handbook, Executive Board Policies

A. These guidelines provide a default policy to those responsible or sharing duties for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder.

B. Proactive Planning:

  1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during practices and contests.
  2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby safe areas and determine the amount of time needed to get everyone to a designated area.
    1. A designated safer place is a substantial building with plumbing and wiring where people live or work, such as a school, gymnasium, or library. An alternate safer place for the threat of lightning is a fully enclosed (not convertible or soft top) metal car or school bus.
  3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
    1. When thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen*, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for at least 30 minutes and vacate the outdoor activity to the previously designated safer location immediately.
    2. Thirty-minute Rule: Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed * prior to resuming play.
    3. Any subsequent thunder or lightning* after the beginning of the 30-minute count will reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
    4. When lightning detection devices or mobile phone apps are available, this technology could be used to assist in making a decision to suspend play if a lightning strike is noted to be within 10 miles of the event location. However, you should never depend on the reliability of these devices and, thus, hearing thunder or seeing lightning* should always take precedence over information from a mobile app or lightning detection device.
    *At night under certain atmospheric conditions, lightning flashes may be seen from distant storms. In these cases, it may be safe to continue an event. If no thunder can be heard and the flashes are low on the horizon, the storm may not pose a threat. Independently verified lightning detection information would help eliminate any uncertainty.
  4. Review annually with all administrators, coaches, and game personnel and train all personnel.
  5. Inform student athletes of the lightning policy at start of season.

C. For more detailed information, refer to the "Lightning and Thunder Safety" section contained in the NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook.

Additional Sports Medicine Resources

OHA Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Information for ADs, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Parents


Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources


Oregon Health Authority / OSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Information


Pre-Participation Physical Exam Forms

» Physical Examination
(Updated r2023)

Languages: English  |   Spanish  |   Chinese  |   Vietnamese  |   Russian

Infection Control


Sports Medicine and Medical Related Organizations

Follow the links below for additional sports medicine and medical related information.

Links

» NFHS Cold-Related Illness Information
» NFHS Position Statement - Air Quality April 2023
» NFHS Position Statement - Maintaining Hydration to Optimize Performance and Minimize the Risk for Heat Illness April 2022
» NFHS Position Statement - Heat Illness Prevention April 2022
» NFHS Position Statement - Emerging Technology May 2020
» NFHS Position Statement - Smokeless Tobacco May 2020
» NFHS Position Statement - Invasive Medical Procedures May 2020
» NFHS Position Statement - Appearance and Performance Enhancing Druge May 2020
» NFHS Position Statement - Sport Specialization August 2019
» NFHS Position Statement - Medical Devices August 2019
» NFHS Position Statement - Soft Headgear August 2019
» NFHS Position Statement - Soccer Headgear
» NFHS Position Statement - Invasive Medical Procedures
» NFHS Position Statement - Use of Mouthguards
» NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Position Statements and Guidelines
» Child Abuse: Reporting Abuse & Neglect - Oregon.gov
» NFHS Sickle Cell Trait Information
» Female Athlete Triad Information
» Addiction Treatment Information
» Alcohol & Drug Treatment Information
» Drug Abuse and Bullying
» Vaping Information
» DrugRehab.com
» RehabNet.com
» HealthCorps: Nonprofit for Teen Health
» U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services - Talking with Teens
» Addiction Guide