Health & Safety

Official Health System of the MHSAA

Got a health question? Click

above to ask a Sparrow expert

This page is the hub for information and resources dedicated to assisting MHSAA member schools in providing a healthy participation environment for student-athletes.

Sparrow offers programs for athletes at all levels and includes primary care Physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and athletic and performance trainers. Click on the links below to learn more.

SPARROW SPORTS MEDICINE RESOURCES

Student-Athlete Screening Guidance: Sparrow’s Pediatric Cardiologists are extensively trained in diagnosing and treating children’s cardiac problems. Click here for more information.
Sparrow opens new Sports Medicine practice focusing on sports concussion care | Watch video here

Health History | Heads | Heat | Hearts - The MHSAA's 4H Focus

Scroll down this page or click photo for resources pertaining to the MHSAA's major health and safety initiatives and more. Refer to this site frequently for the most recent information.

HEALTH HISTORY
MHSAA Physical Exam Resources

HEADS
Concussion Resources

HEAT
Heat, Hydration Resources

HEARTS
Cardiovascular Resources

Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation

Sport specialization is a threat to young persons' essential health and safety that presents as great a risk as head trauma, heat illness and heart failure. The antidote is balanced, multi-sport participation. The answer is school-sponsored sports. Resources and data promoting multi-sport participation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Summary Report: 2015-16 MHSAA Head Injury Reporting

Opportunities of Sport - 30-second PSA

5 Reasons You Want Your Kid to be a Multi-Sport Athlete
(ESPN, Oct. 19, 2016)

PREVENT DEFENSE: Backing Interscholastic Football

NFHS Concussion Statement (12/11/15)
Minneapolis Star Tribune Article (12/3/15)
NFHS Viewpoint (10/28/15)
Iowa HS Athletic Association Statement (12/16/15)
Reasons Not to Ban Contact Sports . . . (Forbes, 12/23/15)
Parents, Stop Obsessing Over Concussions (NY Times, 12/22/15)
VIDEO: The Dartmouth Way: Tackling Drills
"Why We Need HS Football" - TEDx Talk (11/29/16)

2017-18 Return to Activity & Post-Concussion Consent Form
Concussion Insurance Benefits Information and Forms
Concussion Education Materials/Acknowledgement Form

CPR FAQs for Head Coach Requirement
NFHS Course - Sudden Cardiac Arrest
NFHS "First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches"

Hot-Weather Advisory

Preseason Football Guide

Multi-Sport
Participation

Physical Exam/Medical History Forms

The most frequently requested and downloaded form is the Student-Athlete Physical Exam / Medical History Form. Schools may download either the 4-page or 2-page form below.

Physical Card/Medical History Form | PDF (Spanish | Arabic)
(2 pages) Order this Card from MHSAA
Physical Exam/Medical History Form | PDF (Spanish | Arabic)
(4 pages)

Concussion Resources

"Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional."

Online Concussion Courses

MHSAA Rules Meeting Concussion Information & Protocol Review
NFHS "Concussion for Students"
NFHS "Concussion in Sports Course" -- Info | Online Course
Heads Up to Clinicians: Addressing Concussion in Sports among Kids and Teens -- Online Course from the CDC

Concussion Video Resources

VIDEO - See What You Hit - From Spine In Sports Foundation
VIDEO - Keeping Quiet Can Keep You Out of the Game
VIDEO - Keeping Quiet Can Keep You Out of the Game - A Mother's Story

Heat/Hydration

Cardiovascular Resources

CPR in Schools - Public Act 388 of 2016
CPR FAQs for Head Coach Requirement
How to Use an AED
NFHS Course - Sudden Cardiac Arrest
MI HEARTSafe Q & A | Application
MI HEARTSafe School Resource Page
Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
AED Program Questionnaire for Schools
AED Fast Fact Sheet
AED Awareness and Action Posters: For use in School Buildings and Athletic Facilities
Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young: Resource page from the Michigan Genetics Resource Center
Student-Athlete Cardiac Screening Guide from Sparrow
AED and School Athletics
"We Thought We'd lost Her" How AED saved a life in Georgia
How Heart Screening May Have Saved Wrestler's Life - Detroit Free Press

Multi-Sport Participation Resources

MHSAA Multi-Sport Brochure
Our View: "From the Director" Blogs on Specialization
Feeding and Fertilizing School Athletics
Project Play: Reimaging Youth Sports in America
Multi-Sport Participation Can Prevent Burnout (Cronkite News, 12/22/15)
The Stephen Curry Approach to Youth Sports (The Wall Street Journal, 5/17/16)
5 Reasons You Want Your Kid to be a Multi-Sport Athlete (ESPN, Oct. 19, 2016)
Meet the Group (Video to be used as multi-sport tool)
Sports Parent Do's and Dont's
Myths of Youth Talent Development
Study Indicates Higher Injury Rate for Specialized Athletes (NFHS 2016)

Public Acts & MHSAA Policies

Injury Prevention

Nutrition/Healthy Eating

UDIM Eating For Peak Performance Series

More Nutrition Resources

Skin Disease/Disorders

Bullying/Student Behavior

OK2SAY: MHSAA Encourages Schools to Join Student Safety Initiative
NFHS "Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment" -- Info | Online Course
NFHS "Social Media"
NFHS "Social Media for Students"

NFHS Free Online Courses

The NFHS is offering a series of FREE valuable online courses regarding concussion management, sportsmanship and the role of parents in sports. Click a topic below and begin the course.

Click Here for Instructions in Signing Up for Free NFHS Online Courses

NFHS "Social Media"
NFHS "Social Media for Students"
NFHS "Concussion for Students"
NFHS Parents Guide to Sports Concussions >> Printable Version
NFHS "Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment" -- Info | Online Course
NFHS "Concussion in Sports Course" -- Info | Online Course
NFHS "Sportsmanship" -- Info | Online Course
NFHS "Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention" -- Info | Online Course
NFHS "The Role of the Parent in Sports" -- Info | Online Course
NFHS Course - A Guide to Sports Nutrition
NFHS Course - Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Help from Our Friends

Below are links to helpful resources from related associations, organizations and partners dedicated to the health and well-being of school sports. We encourage you to visit these sites frequently.