The following article is excerpted from: Lopiano, D.A. and Zotos, C. (Publication 2013) The Athletics Director’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Practical Guide to the Management of Scholastic and Intercollegiate Athletics Programs. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
The following risk assessment article is excerpted from a prepublication manuscript: Lopiano, D.A. and Zotos, C. (Publication 2013) The Athletics Director’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Practical Guide to the Management of Scholastic and Intercollegiate Athletics Programs. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
An athletics department must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protect the health of, and provide a safe environment for, each of its participating student-athletes. The safety and health of our student-athletes, staff, and event personnel are paramount. Thus, policies and procedures with regard to dehydration as well as heat and cold related illnesses of student-athletes must be implemented in the training of sports medicine personnel, event personnel, coaches, and the education of student-athletes themselves.
Athletic departments must have policies in place addressing the prevention of transmission of blood-borne pathogens in the athletic environment. The blood-borne pathogens of concern include (but are not limited to) Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Other types of infectious diseases, specifically skin infections, are highly transmissible, especially in certain contact sports such as wrestling.
Answer: Athletes are not immune from developing disordered eating behavior. In fact, a number of studies suggest athletes may be more susceptible to the development of an eating disorder when compared to the non-athlete population. Eating disorder behavior can range from mild disordered eating to a full blown diagnosis of an eating disorder (anorexia and/or bulimia). Institutions should view eating disorders as a serious health concern. An eating disorder can jeopardize the physical and psychological well-being of a student-athlete, affecting not only the athle
The decision to cease physical activity participation should be made by the pregnant female athlete and her doctor. There are complex policy issues related to pregnancy that must be navigated by managers of organizations delivering physical activity programming.
The best position paper on this issue has been published by the Women's Sports Foundation. See "Issues Related to Pregnancy & Athletic Participation".