NJSIAA sets guidelines for dealing with head injuries

The governing body for high school athletics in New Jersey introduced a sweeping set of guidelines Monday that would require athletes who suffer head injuries to pass a battery of tests before being cleared for return to competition.

If enacted by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, the standardized policy for treating and monitoring concussions would apply to athletes in every sport, including cheerleading. Presently, individual schools determine when athletes can return to the playing field after suffering a concussion.

The proposal sets forth the following requirements:

â?¢ Athletes who suffer a concussion or other head injury must go a week without symptoms. Before they can play again, they must complete a six-step process that includes gradual aerobic exercise and clearance from a medical professional.

â?¢ Athletes, coaches and trainers will undergo annual training about concussions â?? including awareness of the symptoms.

â?¢ Athletes and their parents will be given a packet of information about concussions before the start of the sports season. Both will have to sign forms stipulating they have read and understand the information.

â?¢ Athletes will immediately be removed from play if they exhibit any sign or symptom of a concussion.

The NJSIAA is hoping the requirements will enable schools to better cope with a brain injury epidemic that has crippled young athletes across the country. In high school sports alone, more than 400,000 concussions occurred nationwide during the last school year.

The NJSIAA, which oversees athletic programs at 434 high schools across the state, including more than 290,000 student-athletes, will present its proposal to its Executive Committee next month. If passed, the new requirements would take effect for the start of the 2010-11 school year.

"I think itâ??s very important to our student athletes. This would put us in the position to keep our kids safe," said NJSIAA assistant director Bob Baly, who has spearheaded the movement.

The NJSIAA drew up the policy in conjunction with its Medical Advisory Board, a 20-person panel comprised of athletic trainers, other high school personnel and doctors, including concussion specialist Dr. Jill Brooks. It was unveiled during a hearing Monday of the Assembly Education Committee in Trenton. Doctors, athletic trainers and specialists testified during the information-gathering session for lawmakers.

Committee Chairman Patrick J. Diegnan (D-Middlesex), said he hopes to propose legislation before May that would mandate similar requirements for all athletes in New Jersey, including those participating in youth leagues.

"They (the NJSIAA) clearly get it and I think theyâ??re addressing it," Diegnan said. "But ... thatâ??s not 100 percent of the circumstances. We have to look at kids that are playing sports that wouldnâ??t be covered by NJSIAA. We can have companion legislation to mirror some of their policies..."

Among those who testified Monday were Niki Popyer, a 16-year-old former basketball player from Marlboro who sustained 11 concussions over a four-year period, and Tammy Plevretes, whose son, Preston, a former La Salle University football player, needs 24-hour nursing care and can barely speak after sustaining two concussions in a monthâ??s time four years ago.

"This is not a broken leg. This is about a broken life," Plevretes said. "It didnâ??t have to happen. I miss my son. I miss his voice."

Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@starledger.com.

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