290.000 SPORTS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

290.985           Pediatric/Adolescent Informed Concussion Discussion

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports amendment of the New York State Education Department (SED) “Guidelines for Concussion Management in the School Setting” to include informed consent prior to participation in intramural and interscholastic athletics and that this consent discuss the risk of short and long term impact of mild traumatic brain injuries.  This resolution will be transmitted to AMA to seek similar federal regulation/legislation incorporating the informed consent provisions. (HOD 2017-155)

290.986           Support Mandating Protective Headgear (Helmets)

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports requiring approved protective headgear for all athletes participating in the sport of girls’/women’s lacrosse and that a similar resolution be transmitted to the American Medical Association for consideration at the next meeting of their House of Delegates. (HOD 2015-157; Reaffirmed HOD 2020-150)

290.987        Dangers of Tackle Football

The Medical Society of the State of New York will encourage the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association to promote parental awareness of the potential dangers of tackle football.  (HOD 2015-156) 

290.988        Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention

The Medical Society of the State of New York will encourage the New York State Education Department and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association to inform students and parents about the anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program in order to prevent student injuries. (HOD 2015-155)

290.989           Support of Athletic Trainer Legislation

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports efforts which encourage athletic trainers to obtain continuing educational development. (HOD 2014-152; Reaffirmed HOD 2024) 

290.990:          Expanding Participation of Asthmatic Children in Physical Education or Exercise Programs: SUNSET HOD 2023

290.991            Head Injury Prevention In Hockey

The Medical Society of the State of New York supports federal legislation that would effectively prevent head hits and dangerous checking at all levels of hockey. (HOD 2012-152; Amended and reaffirmed HOD 2022)

290.992        Boxing/Mixed Martial Arts Safety:

The Medical Society of the State of New York urges adoption of regulation/legislation so that boxing/mixed martial arts at all levels comply with the following:

1) All competitors must wear protective head gear;

2) Competitions should not be based on knockouts as the standard of victory

MSSNY encourages the development and use of brain injury risk assessment tools to evaluate individual boxers and mixed martial arts participants and further encourage ringside physicians to halt the match when a participant has experienced concussive or sub-concussive blows that place him/her at imminent risk of more serious injury. (HOD 2012-151; referred to, modified and adopted by Council 3/4/2013; Reaffirmed in lieu of HOD 2020-151)

290.993           Use of Nebulizers on School Athletic Fields  SUNSET HOD 2021

290.994           Non-Wooden Baseball Bats:  SUNSET HOD 2020

290.995           Athletic Helmets, Removal of: SUNSET HOD 2024

290.996           Drug Free Schools: 

MSSNY advocates drug free schools, continues to condemn the use among student athletes of any and all performance enhancing drugs, and recommends that the New York State Dept. of Education and all secondary school athletic associations continue to support of including educational programs on the dangers of drug use, and the use of nutritional supplements in athletics, in all interscholastic athletic programs, and advocates for closer self-scrutiny to monitor the effectiveness of programs.  (Council 3/9/95; Reaffirmed HOD 2014; Modified and reaffirmed HOD 2024)

290.997           Mixed Gender Competition: SUNSET HOD 2024

290.998           Physician Coverage at Interscholastic Events: 

The physician assigned and/or designated by the managing authority (i.e., New York State Public High School Athletic Association, school district, specific school or the New York State Education Department) of the interscholastic competition shall have the final decision making authority concerning the entry/re-entry of an athlete to competition at the particular contest.  (Council 10/19/95; Reaffirmed HOD 2014)

290.999           Anabolic Steroids: 

MSSNY opposes the prescription or distribution of anabolic steroids for the purpose of enhancing athletic performance.  (HOD 1989-22; Modified and Reaffirmed HOD 2013; reaffirmed HOD 2023)