Aspen Institute Football Roundtable Was Valuable, But Changed Few Minds

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 17:32. | comments

Last Friday, I participated in a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. conducted by the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society program called "Playing Safety: The Future of Youth Football?" It was moderated by ESPN's Tom Farrey and, in the phrase made famous by the movie Casablanca, rounded up all the usual suspects on concussion safety and football, including MomsTEAM concussion expert emeritus Dr. Bob Cantu, USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck, and NFL Player Association President DeMaurice Smith, among other luminaries from the world of football and journalism. I was indeed honored to be asked to join those debating the future of the sport.

The Aspen Institute's discussion on the future of youth and high school football rounded up the usual suspects, both those advocating against tackle football before age 14 or abolishing the sport altogether, and those saying that the best approach is to institute reforms so that teams can play smart, not scared.

Gretchen Rose

When A Player Is Hurt, Every Mom Feels Their Pain

Submitted by Gretchen Rose on Sun, 10/28/2012 - 20:44. | comments

The hit was clean. The defensive end came off the line quickly and got around two offensive blockers. He met the running back in the backfield and they crashed together to the turf. The fans cheering the offense fell silent. The defense had held, forcing a fourth down. Time to call, in the words of the announcer, a "$10.00 cab ride" for the offense.

The play was over, but the defensive end and the running back were still down. It was a scene no fan wants to see. Even if your child isn't the one injured, a sobering thought runs through your mind anyway: that it could have been.

The play was over, but the defensive end and the running back were still down. It was a scene no fan wants to see. Even if your child isn't the one injured, a sobering thought runs through your mind anyway: that it could be.

Brooke de Lench

Pop Warner Concussion Scandal: Lessons Learned

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:36. | comments

The Pop Warner concussion scandal - one that, sadly, occurred right in my backyard here in Massachusetts - has put youth football under the microscope once again.

The Pop Warner concussion scandal has put youth football under the microscope once again. But is what happened in that single game reason enough to pull a kid out of football, or never sign him (or her) up in the first place? I don't think so.

Nutrition Experts

Jennifer McDaniel: A+ Formula For Breakfast Is Protein + Fiber-Rich Food + Fruit

Submitted by Nutrition Experts on Wed, 10/24/2012 - 21:30. | comments

October is Sports Nutrition rolls on with some creative breakfast ideas from St. Louis-based registered dietitian Jennifer McDaniel:

MomsTEAM:What do recommend sports-active kids eat for breakfast?

Eating breakfast scores big, but eating high-quality breakfast foods wins the game. An A+ formula for breakfast includes: protein + fiber-rich food + fruit to ensure a mix of carbohydrates (necessary for brain & muscle energy) and protein (important for muscle growth after a long night's sleep).

Nutrition Experts

Martha McKittrick: Kids Are Like Cars - They Can't Run On Empty!

Submitted by Nutrition Experts on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 17:33. | comments

MomsTEAM may be in the final 10 days of October is Sports Nutrition Month, but the great advice from nutrition experts just keeps on coming!

Today, we here from registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, Martha McKittrick:

MomsTEAM:Tell us a little about yourself and why you wanted to get into sports nutrition?

Think of the food a child eats before and after sports as gas for a car. It can't run on empty, says a top NYC dietitian, and neither can kids.

Nutrition Experts

Leslie Bonci: Nutritionist To The Pros Says Parents Need To Be Nutrition Coach

Submitted by Nutrition Experts on Wed, 10/17/2012 - 22:08. | comments

As Sports Nutrition Month at MomsTEAM moves towards the finish line on Halloween (yes, we will even have healthy eating tips for a traditionally unhealthy holiday!), today we hear from University of Pittsburgh sports dietitian Leslie Bonci:

MomsTEAM: Tell us a little about yourself and why you wanted to get into sports nutrition?

The sports dietitian to all the Pittsburgh pro teams says parents who resist being their child's nutrition coach shouldn't expect their kids to care about what they eat; if they insist, their kids will make eating a priority, and if they persist, their kids will perform better in the classroom and on the field.

Nutrition Experts

Kat Barefield: Recommends Meal Replacement Shakes/Smoothies Before And After Exercise

Submitted by Nutrition Experts on Tue, 10/16/2012 - 18:53. | comments

As Sports Nutrition Month at MomsTEAM approaches its midway point, today we hear from sports nutritionist, certified personal trainer, certified wellness coach, and mother of two, Kat Barefield:

MomsTEAM: Tell us a little about yourself and why you wanted to get into sports nutrition?

A registered dietitian, certified personal trainer and wellness coach recommends a carbohydrate- and protein-containing meal replacement shakes/smoothies before and after exercise to top off muscle fuel stores, replenish muscle stores, and support muscle repair and growth.

Brooke de Lench

Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention: An Honor To Attend Groundbreaking Ceremony

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Tue, 10/16/2012 - 17:00. | comments

Lyle Micheli, William Meehan, and Joe Andruzi

Yesterday, I had the honor of being a guest at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Micheli Center For Sports Injury Prevention, which is being built next to Children's Hospital Boston's Waltham, Massachusetts facility.

Yesterday, I had the honor of being a guest at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Micheli Center For Sports Injury Prevention, which is being built next to Children's Hospital Boston's Waltham, Massachusetts facility, named for Lyle Micheli, MD., one of the truly great sports medicine doctors of this or any generation.

Nutrition Experts

Valerie Berkowitz: Following Five Key Lifestyle Habits Key To Optimum Sports Performance

Submitted by Nutrition Experts on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 15:41. | comments

As Sports Nutrition Month at MomsTEAM rolls into its third week, we hear from child nutrition expert, Valerie Berkowitz, Director of Nutrition Education at The Center for Balanced Health:

MomsTEAM: What do recommend sports-active kids eat for breakfast?

Valerie Berkowitz and family

There is no magic bullet when it comes to giving your child the competitive edge, but following five key lifestyle habits will help make the difference.

Gretchen Rose

Football Mom 2.0

Submitted by Gretchen Rose on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 14:28. | comments

The conversion is complete! What a difference a year can make! This time last year, I was a timid novice. I was new to the world of elementary school 11-man tackle football. As a mom, I wanted to learn quickly, so I could help my son and myself! I channeled the truly great one, Olivia Manning! She is a football mom with no peers! With two sons in the NFL, she has seen it all! Every day and every situation, I would ask myself, "What would Olivia do ?" She served me well. We had a very successful first year in the league.

With her son in his second year playing football, a Texas mom has taken her game to a whole new level, but because she loves football and her son, it was easier than she thought to "graduate."