MomsTEAM Celebrates 12th Anniversary with Summer of Football (Part One)

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 19:24. | comments

Today is MomsTEAM's twelfth anniversary! It was on this day in 2000 that our website went live.

On our anniversary in years past I have blogged about what happened in the previous 12 months in youth sports, but this year the focus will be on youth football.

Why the narrower focus? Well, for two big reasons.

This has been the summer of football for MomsTEAM for two big reasons: first, we have been working on an exciting concussion project focusing on a football program in Oklahoma, and second, we have just returned from a visit to the Mecca of football: the New York City headquarters of the National Football League.

Fox 40's Heat Alert Mouth Guard: A Game Changer Like Their Whistle?

The new Heat Alert mouth guard changes colors if an athlete’s core temperature goes over 102 degrees F, in effect a heat stroke early warning system. Whether it will be a game changer like Fox 40's pea-less whistle remains to be seen.

Brooke de Lench

Buyer Beware (Part 1): Claims That Equipment Can Prevent Concussions Too Good To Be True

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Sun, 08/19/2012 - 14:09. | comments

It seems that not a day goes by without news about a new product that supposedly reduces the risk of concussion.

Almost invariably, it turns out that the manufacturer's claims are not supported by peer-reviewed scientific evidence. But that doesn't seem to stop most of them, until, at least, their claims attract the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. Youth football game at line of scrimmage

It seems that not a day goes by without news about a product that supposedly reduces the risk of concussion. Almost invariably, it turns out that the manufacturer's claims are not supported by peer-reviewed scientific evidence. But that doesn't seem to stop most of them, at least until their claims attract the attention of the FTC.

California Mandates Concussion Education For High School Coaches

California has moved to strengthen its youth sports concussion safety law by adding training on concussions to the first aid certification required of all California high school coaches.

Brooke de Lench

FTC Says No Proof That Mouthguard Reduces Concussion Risk: Not Surprising To MomsTEAM

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 22:19. | comments

For years, it seems, MomsTEAM has been getting e-mails from mouth guard manufacturers touting their products as reducing the risk of concussion, despite the lack of any peer-reviewed scientific studies to support their claims. Three youth football players watching action

The announcement by the Federal Trade Commission that claims by mouthguard manufacturer Brain-Pad that its product reduced the risk of concussion are not supported by the scientific evidence is just what I have been saying for years.

Ten Ways To Tell If Your Child Is A Bully

The National Education Association estimates that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Could they be skipping school because of your child?

Concussion Apps For Smartphones

There are at least 20 smartphone applications on sports concussions. Evaluating the apps strictly from the standpoint of their usefulness for parents, here's how they stack up and whether they are worth downloading (updated).

Hal Tearse

Parents Rethinking Contact Sports

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Sun, 08/05/2012 - 17:28. | comments

Local youth football organizers in Minnesota say they are experiencing a 20 percent decline in registrations this year, citing increased awareness of the potential of serious injury and parents who are apparently picking other sports for their 3rd and 4th grade children.

Call "Time Out" Before Sports To Ensure Player Safety, Athletic Trainer Group Says

With preseason practices now underway and the start of fall sports around the corner, MomsTEAM, along with the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), recommends that athletic health care providers conduct a "Time Out" before athletic events to ensure that an emergency action plan (EAP) is reviewed and in place.

Doping In Sports: Time For An Honest Conversation

The controversy surrounding the Chinese swimmer, Ye Shiwen, who won a gold medal this week in the 400 Individual Medley, has every news show buzzing about whether she is doping. A two-time Olympic track cyclist weighs in.

Health & Safety