Researchers began publishing annual reports and bi-annual updates examining the health and safety policies for secondary schools for each individual state and Washington, D.C. The evaluations are based on safety measures states can implement, including emergency action plans, having automatic external defibrillators on site, training coaches to look for signs of concussion, treatment of exertional heat stroke and others.

The paper detailing nationwide updates and progress was published this week in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

The report illustrates the progress made since 2017, and it also helps Team Up for Sports Safety (TUFFS) zero in on ways to help decision makers take steps toward further improvements to safeguard athlete safety.

KSI and the TUFFS initiative has a mission to travel state-to-state to meet with policymakers to ensure life-saving policies are adopted nationwide, explains Rebecca Stearns Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Chief Operating Officer of the Korey Stringer Institute, and Director of TUFFS.

«We decided to do a state-based approach and make it a really targeted, individualized approach for the states,» she says.

Policies take time to be implemented, but TUFFS strives to make the process smoother by meeting with key individuals from each state to help identify areas for swift and impactful change. The process involves scheduling meetings with representatives from each state to present policies and measures tailored to that state, which address areas for improvement.

Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Connecticut. Original written by Elaina Hancock. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.