This article is written by the Experimental Mommy in partnership with NATA. All opinions are 100% my own.
It’s officially summer here in New Orleans. The heat is up, the humidity is high and school is out. But for kids on school sports teams, summer is generally not filled with lazy days and pool parties. These kids are training hard oftentimes weighted down with padding and helmets only intensifying the heat and stress on their bodies. While schools, coaches and athletic trainers take every precaution to keep the students safe, it is imperative that parents are well educated about sports safety and take an active role in making sure their kids are aware of precautions to take and symptoms that should not be ignored.
Jennifer, a contributor here at Experimental Mommy, and her son learned first hand the importance of sports safety and why every school should have an athletic trainer on staff when her son collapsed on the football field during a summer practice. After a scary four days in the hospital, it was determined that the cause of his collapse was Rhabdomyolysis.
Tomorrow, Jennifer and her son will take part in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association “Share Your Story” campaign at the Prepare to Play: Sports Safety & Wellness Camp, a grassroots event to provide education on youth sports safety issues. The event will not only raise awareness of the athletic training profession, but will have interactive booths for young athletes and their parents to learn more about youth sports safety.
In the coming days, Jennifer will share her experience at the Prepare to Play event as well as information, tips and resources she gathers from the athletic trainers and professional athletes in attendance. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss a thing!