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Wisconsin Athletic Trainer Conveys need for secondary school athletic trainers

WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Ryan Henke, ATC, Gundersen Sports Medicine athletic trainer, discussed concussions and the importance of athletic trainers at all high school and college sporting events in this weeks Medical Monday.

With concussions cut in half among high school football players in Wisconsin this year, a new study from UW-Madison is recommending athletic trainers be on the sidelines at games and practices to better manage injuries.

The study is intended to provide more guidance to school districts on ways to make football safer for student-athletes.

The study found new rules limiting full-contact practices cut the number of concussions in half, compared to the two previous seasons.

The study also recommended the need for more licensed athletic trainers on sidelines during practices and games.

“The presence of a licensed athletic trainer at sporting events improves the safety of athletes who sustain sport-related injuries,” said Kenny Wilka, president of the WATA and director of sports medicine at UW-Parkside.

Wilka said the study brought attention to concussions in sports, specifically how less contact in practice results in fewer injuries.

“The safety of the student-athlete is our main objective,” Wilka said.

The UW-Madison study will be presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.wxow.com/story/30740666/2015/12/14/medical-monday-concussions