(NFHS) National Federation of State High School Associations Sports Medicine Information Website

Department of Education Grants Available for Student Drug Testing Programs: Research shows that those who make it through their teenage years without using drugs are much less likely to start using them when they are older. Random student drug testing is one program that deters young people from using drugs. Random testing gives young people a compelling reason to say "no" to drugs, and underscores the message that drug use is a barrier to achieving one's full potential. Random testing can also identify those who are using drugs, thereby allowing parents to steer them into counseling, if necessary, before they become addicted.  Approximately $1.6 million in federal grants is available through the U.S. Department of Education to support development and implementation of drug testing programs in schools.  Grantees will be required to participate in a national evaluation of the effectiveness of mandatory random student drug testing.   Applications may be downloaded from the department's Web site at http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html  or requested from Education Publications Center (ED Pubs) at 1-877-433-7827.  Further information is available by contacting Robyn Disselkoen at 202-260-3954 or Charlotte Gillespie at 202-260-1862 or by email at  OSDFSDrugTesting@ed.gov.  The closing date for applications is September 5, 2006.  

Make Safety a Commitment and Your Number One Priority
Supplements in House?  
"Designer Steriods" - Release from ACSM  
VHSL Heat Guidelines  (PDF document)  
Heat Safety Information
Gatorade Sports Science Institute (Word document) 
ACSM Urges Young Athletes to Avoid Ephedra
NFHS Issues Warning on Supplements
Recommendations for Hydration to Prevent Heat Illness
Information on Concussions (.pdf)
Communicable Disease Policy Updated
NFHS Communicable Disease Procedures
Heat Stress and Athletic Participation   
The Unconscious Athlete
Athletic Emergency Procedure  
Medical/Legal Considerations  
Helmet Inspection  

Latest News 

• 2008/09 Heat 
• State Superintendent provides MRSA update -10/23/07
• MRSA in Sports Participation Position Statement & Guidelines National Federation of State High School Assoc. (NFHS)
• Sports Hygiene – Guidelines to Minimize Infectious Diseases/Position Statement and Guidelines
• COMMUNICABLE SKIN CONDITIONS (2007-08 NFHS WRESTLING RULES BOOK)
• The Marfan Syndrome (Posted 8/20/07)
• Marfan Screening on PPE  (Posted 8/20/07)
• Legislation - 54-2-3 Fall Practice Policy
• Fall Pre-Seasoned Practice Task Force Recommendations
•  Skin Lesion Form 
•  Click here> Heat Emergency Preparedness Video  
  This is to inform all VHSL member schools that Gatorade has posted the Heat Emergency Preparedness video on their Coaches Corner website.  In addition to the video, there are links to the ACSM Football Guidelines as well as a parent letter for Coaches to use to assist them in communicating the importance of pre-season acclimation.  Gatorade is working on providing the DVD as a downloadable file for coaches to be able to save on their computer.  This feature should be ready in the next few weeks.
• Suggested Guidelines for Management of Head Trauma in Sports (NFHS)
• Athletic Emergency Plan I

Athletic Trainers

• VHSL Weight Control Program
• Licensures of Athletic Trainers
• Understanding Virginia's Athletic Training Law (PDF document)

Supplements/Drug Testing

• NFHS Position Statement on Supplements
• Designer Steroid - Release from ACSM
• NFHS Issues Warning on Supplements
• NFHS Position Statement on Supplements
• NFHS encourages support of steroid education
• Creatine and Androstenedione
• How are creatine and androstenedione used? What do they cost? Do they enhance performance?
• What are creatine and androstenedione? Why are athletes using them?
• What are the laws and policies for these substances?
• What are the short- and long-term risks?
• What should athletic administrators and coaches tell their athletes about creatine and androstenedione?
• Sports Medicine: High School Drug-Testing Programs: August 2003
• Drug Testing - What are the benefits and drawbacks of drug testing?
• Drug Testing - What drugs will tests detect?
• Drug Testing - What issues should we study before we determine whether or not to drug test?
• Drug Testing - Who should be tested and what is the selection process?
• Drug Testing in High School Activities
• "Designer Steroid" Release from ACSM

• Gatorade Sports Science Institute (Word document)  

• VHSL Heat Guidelines (PDF document)  
• Heat Safety Information
• Gatorade Sports Science Institute (Word document) 
• Recommendations for Hydration to Prevent Heat Illness
• Heat Stress and Athletic Participation   

Infectious Disease

• Sports Related Skin Infections
• Herpes Gladiatorum: Position Statement and Guidelines
• NFHS Statement: MRSA in Sports Participation
• Sports Hygiene – Guidelines to Minimize Infectious Diseases
• Herpes Gladiatorum and Wrestling Competition (NFHS)
• Herpes Gladiatorum Position Statement and Guidelines
• Skin Lesion Form 
• Infectious Disease Policy of the VHSL
• NFHS Communicable Disease Procedures(NFHS)
• VHSL Informational Statement on MRSA and Sports Participation  (NFHS)
• CA-MRSA Information for the Public (posted 10/15/07)
• Sports Medicine: Herpes Gladiatorum and Wrestling Competition (.pdf)

Miscellaneous 

• Full State Medicine Code of Virginia (posted 5/27/05)
• Calcium Fact Sheet+

• Protective Eyewear Required for Girls Lacrosse (NFHS)
• Reducing Brain and Spinal Injuries in Football & other athletic activities (NFHS)
• Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form 
• VHSL Unconscious Athlete Physicians Statement 
• Cast Rule Physician's Relapse Form for Soccer
• Cast Rule Physician's Release Form for Football  
• Suggested Guidelines for Management of Head Trauma in Sports (NFHS)

Sports Injuries

• All Sports Injuries

Wrestling

• VHSL Wrestling Weight Control Program Brochure
• Skin Lesion Form 
• Healthy Weight Part I 
  Healthy Weight Part II 
   *The Healthy Weight Articles, both files are large( Part I & II, may take a few minutes to download)
• Recently Asked Questions