Back-to-School Sports Season: What you need to know about Student Athlete Care
Posted by Dr. Sharandeep Takhar MD, MBA on Sep 19th 2025
With the school year underway, Student Athlete Care are back in full swing too. From football fields to cross-country trails, student athletes are pushing themselves physically, which means injuries are, unfortunately, part of the season.
Common Injuries in Student Athletes
- Sprains and Strains: Ankles, knees, and wrists take the biggest hits. Prevention starts with proper warm-ups, stretching, and the right protective gear, especially shoes and pads.
- Concussions: Head injuries aren’t always obvious. Be on the watch for subtle signs of a head injury including headaches, confusion, nausea, trouble concentration and dizziness. These symptoms can appear even hours after the inciting event, and players should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.
- Fractures and Dislocations: Falls and contact sports can easily result in broken bones or dislocated joints. Quick immobilization and medical evaluation are key to preventing further damage.
- Weather Related Illness: Heat, cold, and even humidity put athletes at risk. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, frostbite, and hypothermia can all creep up faster than expected. Prevention means frequent breaks, hydration before, during, and after play, and proper clothing for conditions.
Best Practices for Clinics and School Health Teams
- Baseline Evaluations: Pre-participation physicals can catch underlying risks like asthma or heart conditions before the season starts.
- Education: Students, parents, and coaches should all know the red flags for injury and illness.
- Return-to-Play Protocols: Clear, stepwise guidelines protect athletes from coming back too soon
- Infection Prevention: Locker rooms and training areas are hotspots for germs - regular cleaning of shared equipment and reinforcing hand hygiene go a long way.
Supporting Students Beyond the Field
Sports offer incredible physical, social, and emotional benefits. But without proper care, even small injuries can sideline young athletes. Providers play a central role in prevention, treatment, and safe return-to-play decisions.
Having the right resources makes that job easier. At Medical Device Depot, we’re here to support clinics, schools, and providers with the essentials they need to keep student athletes healthy, safe, and focused on what matters most: learning, growing, and playing the sports they love.
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