SEDL / STP / STP1305-EB / STP11766S

Barriers to Injury Prevention in Youth Football

Glassman, R
Associate executive director, National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Needham, MA

Pages: 6    Published: Jan 1997

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Abstract

The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF), formerly the National Youth Sports Foundation for the Prevention of Athletic Injuries, a nonprofit, 501 (C) (3) educational research organization dedicated to reducing the number and severity of injuries youth sustain in sports activities, has been involved in injury prevention efforts in youth football since 1989. During that time the Foundation has traveled an eye-opening journey encountering many different barriers to injury prevention at all levels. These barriers include: (1) misinformation, (2) attitude, (3) dissemination of information, (4) lack of coaching education, and (5) surveillance.

Many injuries can be prevented through educational programs but there has to be a perceived need for these programs. There should be effective dissemination, follow-up, and evaluation systems in place.