Sports Equipment: Page 73

Oversight Group to Fund Concussion Research, Strengthen Helmet Standards

At its recent winter meetings, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) awarded almost $610,000 to fund concussion research. In addition to a $340,000 grant for the study of concussion biomechanics, the independent and nonprofit standard-setting organization also awarded a second year of funding to studies regarding gender differences in concussion rates among high school basketball, soccer and lacrosse players; the effect of sport-related concussion on cognition, balance and health-related quality of life in adolescent athletes; and the genetic risk factors for concussion and concussion severity. NOCSAE also created the Scientific Advisory Committee to direct research efforts specifically related to concussions and helmet standards; it will be chaired by Robert Cantu, NOCSAE vice president and one of the nation's leading medical specialists in this area. "Investment in research provides the foundation for our work to protect athletes on the field of play," says Mike Oliver, executive director of NOCSAE, which is made up mostly of medical professionals and sporting goods equipment representatives. "It is our mission to continue to drive the science of sports medicine so youth and adults who choose to play sports can know their equipment is certified to standards based on the best available information." In related news, NOCSAE also now requires football helmet manufacturers to submit all certification test data, quality control and sample selection documentation for all helmets manufactured or sold within the past ten years. The organization - which is evaluating that information, along with a third-party independent auditor - has come under government scrutiny lately for having only one drop-test standard (substantially unchanged since it was developed in 1973) designed to protect against the high-force levels that would otherwise fracture skulls. The New York Times reports that top NOCSAE officials have maintained that no scientific data warranted changes. "Any change to football helmet standards must be based on science - not someone's best guess," says Cantu, a clinical professor of neurosurgery at Boston University. "To change the standard to address concussions without needed scientific data would be irresponsible and could jeopardize the safety of athletes. Part of this effort is analyzing every piece of available data regarding football helmets, which may help shape potential changes to our standard." Many of NOCSAE's two-day meetings were closed to the public, but Oliver told The Times that the reconditioning of used helmets - often worn by adolescent players - was not specifically addressed. Given how at least two reconditioning plants have flouted NOCSAE's drop-testing rules, though, the organization will consider whether a third party might oversee the certification of all helmets, both used and new. Meanwhile, the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the National Football League are raising concussion awareness with the goal of helping pass concussion-related legislation in every state. Both organizations have teamed up to promote laws modeled after Washington's Zackery Lystedt Law, which requires concussion education for players, coaches and parents; immediate removal from play of a student-athlete who appears to have suffered a concussion; and clearance by a health-care professional before a concussed player returns to action. So far, at least nine states have enacted concussion laws, while others - including Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Utah - have legislation pending. For more information on the various concussion education tools available, click here.

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Sweat Can Damage Stationary Bikes, Tarnish a Facility's Image

"Okay, class, who's ready to sweat?" Such a question might be greeted with enthusiasm - even cheers - from a room full of eager stationary cyclists. After all, that's why they're here. And in this setting, inspiration translates to perspiration. If it doesn't, something's wrong.

Bike components directly underneath the rider's head and arm are particularly susceptible to the ill effects of sweat.

Multipurpose Recreation Facilities Require Design Considerations

Multipurpose. Multifunctional. Multiuse. These terms fly about in athletic facility design circles like tennis balls across a net. Sure, you can raise the basketball goals and put up the volleyball net, or open everything up and stick a couple of goals at the ends of the gym, but is that all it takes to be multipurpose?

The Campbell County Recreation Center in Gillette, Wyo., combines a full-service public recreation center with an indoor field house for track & field, tennis and soccer events. (Photo by Edward LaCasse, courtesy of Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative)

Safety & Security

Baseline Testing for Concussions Gains Popularity

Nathan Stiles, a senior football player at Spring Hill (Kan.) High School, was playing an epic game against Osawatomie High on a Thursday night last October. He already had 65- and 18-yard touchdown runs when he came out of the game after being tackled near the sideline just before halftime.

TEST SCORE Casey Nordine (in blue) of Rapid City Stevens pulls down a touchdown pass at the South Dakota All-Star game. Stevens is one of several schools in the state that implemented the ImPACT computer-based baseline testing program this season.

Sports Medicine Gains Unprecedented Strength in Minimizing High School Risk

As high school injury data mounts, sports medicine gains unprecedented focus in minimizing risk.

SUPERVISED DRINKING McMinnville (Ore.) High School football players are shown hydrating just days after 19 of the team's players were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis during a summertime training session that was unregulated by the state athletic association.

Catastrophic Football Injury Leads to $8M Settlement

Fearing liability for improper supervision, a city hands an injured football player $8 million.

LOOKING FORWARD Blake Hunt plans to use his $8 million settlement from the city to pay for his college education.

New Projects: Seattle University; Penn State University+E2294

Recent groundbreakings, grand openings and building projects in development.

Hank Norton Center (Rendering courtesy of Ferrum College)

Successful Laundry Operations Depend on Chemical Supplier

The success of any athletics laundry operation often depends on an outside party - the chemical supplier.

Graphic of a football jersey

Programming Should Drive Rec Center Surface Selection

From a cultural perspective, at least in the United States, the wood-floored gymnasium appears to be ingrained.

CHANGES AFOOT The diversity of programming in today's rec centers often necessitates a diversity of durable surfaces.

Gym & Fieldhouse

Facility Owners Diversify Program Offerings Beyond Basketball

Most facility owners who base their business models on basketball end up scrambling to diversify their program offerings.

WORKING CAPITAL Capital Sports Complex in District Heights, Md., supplements basketball with fitness, boxing and

NFL to Players Making Violent Hits: We Will Suspend You

The NFL announced Tuesday that it will begin suspending players for dangerous and flagrant hits, particularly those involving helmets. Suspensions will be in place for this weekend's games, the Associated Press reports, while at least three players have been fined for hits they made last Sunday - among several violent plays, many of which resulted in concussions.

Family of Brain-Damaged Son Loses Suit Against Helmet Maker

A British Columbia court has dismissed a lawsuit filed against hockey helmet manufacturer Bauer Nike by a family whose teenage son suffered severe permanent brain damage while wearing its headgear. The suit also named the Canadian Standards Association, which approved the helmet.

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