The Summer Olympics begin Friday and even if you are not a sports fanatic, it is a truly awe-inspiring show of athletic prowess and discipline. Here at home, the global test of talent serves as a good backdrop to student athletes, many of whom are beginning preseason training for fall sports.

Unlike Olympic athletes, however, middle and high school athletes typically don’t have the same kind of high-caliber coaching and medical staff in their programs. In fact, less than 40 percent of high schools employ certified athletic trainers. These trainers are important members of any athletic program because they are able to prevent sports injuries, treat them when they do occur, and use methods to safeguard against their return.

Staying abreast of the latest research in sports injuries is equally important, as new discoveries and guidance are being offered all the time. For example, heat stroke used to be defined as when the body’s ability to perspire stopped, resulting in hot, dry skin. Today, however, it is determined when the body’s core temperature reaches 104 degrees, which is not easily observable and could still mean the individual is sweating.

For more tips and pointers on what you should be considering to keep sports programs and students running smoothly, reach into ASBJ’s archive and read my article, “Keeping Student Athletes Safe.”

Naomi Dillon, Senior Editor