Dr. Fazio Sumrok warns that
some of the most serious
injuries and longer-lasting
effects are often due to
consecutive injuries that go
unreported and untreated.
“This means players must be
honest and pull themselves
out of a game if they don’t
feel right. Early reporting
and being honest about their
symptoms is key to preventing
long-term effects.”
Another preventive effort introduced by the Foxes’ athletic
trainers is the ACL prevention protocol. The pilot program
was introduced in the fall of 2015 to a select number of teams
and featured eight uncomplicated exercises that coaches could
easily integrate into their team practices and game-day warmups. The long-term goal is to reduce the risk of ACL injuries
in two specific groups – female athletes who, because their
body structures make them more prone to knee injuries than
their male counterparts, and
athletes who compete in
sports that require a great
deal of pivoting, jumping, and
quick directional changes.
Dr. Ravski, a primary care sports medicine fellow from UPMC and a team
physician, evaluates a student athlete.
“Foxes Head Football Coach Tom Loughran and his staff
are doing an excellent job of instilling safe practices,” says
Mr. Panos. “They have embraced the ‘Heads Up’ approach to
tackling and blocking, which shifts the brunt of the force to
the shoulders instead of using the head. I commend them on
everything they are doing to protect their players.”
Coach Loughran and Mr. O’Brien recently attended a seminar
on concussions sponsored by the UPMC Sports Medicine
Concussion Program and the Pittsburgh Steelers. According
to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Steelers Head Coach Mike
Tomlin told the seminar participants, “…player safety and
concussions and head injuries are our generation’s opportunity
to not only safeguard the game, but be active participants in the
evolution of the game.”
Strength and Conditioning to Prevent Injuries
Timothy Schilcher, a strength and conditioning coach certified
by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and owner of
Myofitness Personal Training, often works with Fox Chapel
Area High School athletes to help them reach their full physical
potential