Drug Testing: Part 1

DRUG TESTING PART 1: POST SEASON NCAA TOURNAMENT DRUG TESTING

IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!

As we enter into the final weeks of the fall seasons, we want to take the opportunity to review drug testing. There are two types of drug testing that BSC can be part of:

1. Post season NCAA Championship tournament testing

2. Div. III drug testing pilot program trial that BSC is part of.

We want to make sure that you all know the differences and understand that if you are selected for a post season tournament drug test- full NCAA consequences are in order. The pilot testing trial drug testing program BSC is part of will be outlined in the next blog. You must be aware that if you are drug tested in the NCAA tournament- this is separate from the Div. III drug testing pilot program which we have spoken to you about. Please read below information regarding POST SEASON NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP DRUG TESTING INFORMATION. This information is taken directly from http://www.ncaa.org/

When is drug testing conducted at the championship?
*Drug testing can occur at any phase of an NCAA championship (e.g., first round, second round, quarterfinals, semi-finals or finals).
*Drug testing can occur more than once at any championship (e.g., first round and finals).
*Participating institutions and student-athletes are not given any advance notice that drug testing is being conducted at the championship.

When will student-athletes be notified of their selection for drug testing?
*At team championships (e.g., basketball, bowling, ice hockey), immediately after the game, an NCAA drug-testing crewmember will provide an institutional representative with a list of student-athletes who have been selected for drug testing.

*At individual/team championships (e.g., fencing, gymnastics, rifle, skiing, swimming & diving, track & field, wrestling), official drug-testing couriers will notify student-athletes of their selection for drug testing.
Refer to section 4.0 and 5.0 of the 2006-2007 Drug-Testing Program booklet for more specific information.

How are student-athletes tested and how long does it take?
Student-athletes are drug tested through urinalysis.
Student-athletes will be observed by a drug-testing crewmember of the same gender.
The length of the collection process depends on the student-athlete’s ability to provide an adequate specimen. If a student-athlete provides an adequate specimen immediately upon arriving at the drug-testing station, the entire process usually is completed in less than 20 minutes.

What if a student-athlete has trouble providing an adequate specimen? Can the student-athlete leave and come back later? What if the team has to leave and the student-athlete is still in drug testing?
The student-athlete cannot be released from drug testing until an adequate specimen is provided. If the student-athlete’s team must depart the championship prior to a student-athlete completing drug testing, an institutional representative must stay with the student-athlete.
If the student-athlete and/or institution incur additional expenses because of the delay (e.g., hotel, transportation back to campus), the institution may request reimbursement from the NCAA.

Some events begin late at night which means drug testing will start late as well. What is the NCAA policy on late-night drug testing?
The late-night testing policy only pertains to team championship events (e.g., basketball, bowling, ice hockey). An institution may defer drug testing until the next morning if their game begins at 9pm or later local time. (See section 5.3.2 in the 2006-2007 NCAA Drug-Testing Program booklet) The decision to defer drug testing applies to the entire team and must be determined by the institution immediately after the game. All selected student-athletes can either test that night after the game or test the next morning. (See section 5.3.2.1 in the 2006-2007 NCAA Drug-Testing Program booklet) If an institution decides to defer drug testing until The next morning, the test must start before 10am local time. An institutional representative must be present at the collection site the next morning to identify selected student-athletes.

How can a student-athlete find out whether a medication or supplement is banned?
In advance of the championship, student-athletes should consult with their athletic trainer or team physician about any medication or dietary supplements they use.
The Resource Exchange Center (REC) is available to answer questions regarding NCAA banned substances at www.drugfreesport.com/rec.

What about dietary supplements?
Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore purity and safety of nutritional/dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed. Impure supplements may lead to a positive NCAA drug test. The use of supplements is at the student-athlete’s own risk.

Are over-the-counter dietary supplements approved by the NCAA?
The NCAA does not approve any dietary supplement. Furthermore, the use of any dietary supplement can lead to a positive NCAA drug test.

Does a student-athlete have to disclose the use of prescription medications to the drug-testing crew?
No. The drug-testing crews do not ask or accept any information about medications student-athletes are taking. The team physician/athletic trainer should be aware of all prescribed medications (and supplements) a student-athlete is taking. This information should be kept on file at the institution. If a student-athlete tests positive because of a prescription medication, the institution may request a medical exception for certain banned drug classes as outlined in the NCAA Drug-Testing Exceptions Procedures at http://www.ncaa.org/health-safety.

Can student-athletes beat a drug test by consuming large amounts of fluids?
No. NCAA protocol requires each student-athlete’s urine sample be analyzed onsite prior to sending the sample to the lab.
If the specimen is too dilute, the student-athlete will be required to remain in drug testing until an adequate specimen is collected. This could take several hours.

Mosquitoes: The Facts about EEE

EEE Fact Sheet
PUBLIC HEALTH FACT SHEET

***** EEE has been found in Southeastern MA. in the recent weeks. Please beware of the following information and guidelines******

Eastern Equine Encephalitis
What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis? Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus. The virus infects birds that live in freshwater swamps and is spread from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes. If a mosquito infected with the virus bites a horse or human, the animal or person can become sick. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September.

What are the symptoms of EEE? The first symptoms of EEE are high fever (103º to106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous symptom. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week.

What is the treatment for EEE? There is no cure for EEE, and three of every ten people who get the disease die from it. All doctors can do is lower the fever and ease the pressure on the brain. Some people who survive this disease will be permanently disabled. Few people recover completely.

How is EEE spread? The virus that causes EEE is spread only by mosquitoes. People and horses with EEE do not spread the disease.

What can you do to protect yourself? There is an EEE vaccine for horses, but not for people. The best way to protect yourself is to keep mosquitoes from biting you. Follow these steps every summer to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, particularly if you live near natural wetlands.
* If you must be outdoors at dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Take special care to cover up the arms and legs of children playing outdoors.
* Use repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and choose a product that will provide sufficient protection for the amount of time spent outdoors. Product labels often indicate the length of time that someone can expect protection from a product. DEET is considered safe when used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Products containing DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or lower for older children and adults. Mosquito netting may be used to cover infant carriers or to protect other areas for children less than 2 months of age. The following precautions should be observed when using DEET products:
* Avoid using DEET products that combine the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens may need to be reapplied too often, resulting in an over application of DEET.
* Apply DEET on exposed skin, using only as much as needed.
* Do not use DEET on the hands of young children and avoid applying repellent to areas around the eyes and mouth.
* Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
* Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors and wash treated clothing.
* Avoid spraying DEET products in enclosed areas.


What can you do to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood? To reduce mosquito populations around your home and neighborhood, get rid of any standing water that is available for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes will begin to breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Here are some simple steps you can take:
* Dispose of or regularly empty any metal cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, and other water holding containers (including trash cans) on your property.
* Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected on your property. Stagnant water in tires is a common place for mosquitoes to breed.
* Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors, so that water can drain out.
* Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
* Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
* Tires that may have collected on your property. Stagnant water in tires is a common place for mosquitoes
* Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
* Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers. * Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

What does the state do to protect people from EEE? Massachusetts developed a Surveillance and Response Plan that coordinates efforts of local officials and state agencies to reduce the risk of EEE. The plan involves checking for the virus in mosquitoes, reducing the number of mosquitoes in the environment, and educating people on ways to avoid mosquito bites. Every year from May until the first hard frost, the MDPH and local mosquito control projects collect mosquitoes from various locations around the state and send them to the State Laboratory for testing. If the virus that causes EEE is found in mosquitoes, MDPH will tell local boards of health and mosquito control projects and ask them to increase their education and mosquito control activities. MDPH provides educational materials for physicians, veterinarians, local public health officials, and the public along with updates on EEE activity in mosquitoes, horses and humans online.

For more information:
For general questions about EEE: MDPH, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or toll free at 1-888-658-2850 or online at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm. You may also contact your local board of health (listed in the telephone directory under “government”)
For questions about health effects of pesticides: MDPH, Center for Environmental Health at (617) 624-5757
For general information about mosquito control: visit the following webpage www.mass.gov/agr/mosquito/index.htm or contact the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board within the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources at (617) 626-1777.
For questions about mosquito control in your city or town: Contact your local board of health (listed in the telephone directory under “government”)

BREAKFAST- THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY!

Ever wonder why the Olympic gold medalists and the Championship teams make it on the Wheaties box? Because its true- BREAKFAST IS THE MEAL FOR CHAMPIONS! As college kids you all know that eating during the day with classes is challenging. A 500-700 calorie breakfast with a couple snacks such as a granola bar, fruit, yogurt and a light lunch will give you the optimal energy you need for your practice or game. The idea is to again balance carbohydrates and protein- both vital components to your athletic performance

Breakfast ideas

* A wholesome cereal such as Wheaties, Kashi, FiberOne, Cheerios, with lowfat milk, banana or another fruit along with orange juice.

* Eggs with english muffin or wheat toast with peanut butter

* Pancakes mixed with fresh fruit

* Smoothie with low fat milk, yogurt, fresh fruit, add in a whey protein powder or a tablespoon of peanut butter and flax seed oil or fish oil

Sample grab-and-go sports breakfasts
* Bran muffin and a yogurt
* Two slices of last night's left-over pizza
* Peanut butter-banana-honey sandwich
* Pita with 1 to 2 slices of lowfat cheese plus a large apple
* Baggie of lowfat granola with a handful of raisins
* Bagel plus a can of vegetable juice

* Granola Bar, piece of fruit, and a orange /cranberry/apple juice

PRE AND POST WORKOUT MEALS! Crucial to your performance on and off the field

What you eat is about as important to your success as an athlete as your physical training is. What you put in your body is what you get out of it. This can be challenging as a college athlete, but can be done with a little bit of discipline and education. Today I will focus on pre and post work out nutrition tips. We will discuss the imortance of breakfast in the next blog.

During workout:
* water or watered down sports drink
* some people do well with a half time boost with orange slices, watermelon, or a handful of grapes for a pick me up. These are not heavy and are easily digested. *** always be cautious with trying new foods during competition- try during practice time prior*****

1 hour or less before competition
* fruit or vegetable juice such as orange, tomato, or V-8, and/or
* fresh fruit such as apples, watermelon, peaches, grapes, or oranges and/or
* Energy gels
* granola bar

2 to 3 hours before competition
* fresh fruit
* fruit or vegetable juices
* bread, bagels
* low-fat yogurt
* water
* sports drink

3 to 4 hours before competition
* fresh fruit
* fruit or vegetable juices
* bread, bagels
* pasta with tomato sauce
* baked potatoes
* energy bar
* cereal with low-fat milk
* oatmeal
* low-fat yogurt
* toast/bread with limited peanut butter, lean meat, or low-fat cheese
* 30 oz of a sports drink

What should you avoid pre workout:
* fats
* caffeine


Recovery
Within 1 hour AFTER practice or game
* Carbohydrates go straight to the glycogen stores of you body to help recover from exercise. Protein helps repair damaged tissue. It is important to consume a post workout meal within 1 hour of exercise as that is when your body is most receptive to the replenishment
* Recommended ratio is 4:1 of carbohydrate to protein

Post workout meal examples:
* Water- you need to replace all the water you lost in exercise!!
* 8 oz cranberry juice or orage juice
* 8 oz of milk or chocolate milk
* yogurt
* bean burrito
* nutrient rich energy bar such as
* 2 cheese sticks with a bagel
* fruit smoothie made with real fruit and yogurt with whey protein added

Check out these websites for more nutrition tips and resources
http://www.coreperformance.com/
http://www.clifbar.com/
http://www.powerbar.com/
http://www.mypyramid.gov/

ATTITUDE- Decision is up to you!

"Good teams and the great players all have ATTITUDE! This is not a cockiness, but instead a confidence. When teams start winning there is this feeling that comes over the team of unity, positivity, and success. Once this feeling starts to penetrate, it creates believers. When people start to believe in a goal and unite together, the chances of their success goes up dramatically. " Major League Strength.com

As I watched the Summer Olympic greats this summer- one thing that I was awe struck by was each and everyone of their determination, confidence, motivation, and ATTITUDE! Attitude and confidence are not only the driving forces to success in you athletic endeavors but more importantly, the success you have in your life.

Check this Michael Jordan video out too- thought it was a great message to the "modern day athlete"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woOu_4l3lio

Determining Hydration Level

Hydration is an important part of being a healthy, productive athlete. As we enter into preseason where athletes may have 5-6 hours of practices, fitness tests, runs- you need to be sure you are staying hydrated which can be challenging. Here are a few tips to help:

1. Clear/pale lemonade colored urine= HYDRATED

2. Dark apple juice colored urine= DEHYDRATED

3. Dark, cloudy urine= SEVERELY DEHYDRATED= NOTIFY ATC

4. Average amt. of water consumption should be 64 oz which means during preseason it is more. Stay on top of it by keeping Nalgene or water bottle with you at all times.

5. Caffeine, soda, energy drinks will dehydrate you!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!!

6. Water and sports drinks such as Gatorade are what you should be drinking- these are the best for replenishing what you have lost

7. Weigh yourself prior to practices- you should not loose more than 2% of your body weight during activity

Signs of Dehydration include:
nausea
dry mouth
muscle cramps
thirst
fatigue
weakness
headache
irritability
decreased performance

If you are having a problem staying hydrated- talk to your ATC who can help you. If you notice any signs of dehydration or notice a teammate having problems, notify someone immediately.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

Yes- its that time of year!!! Medical Clearance!!!!

So- we have tried to make it a bit easier for both of us- we have shortened your returner medical questionnaire. So instead of the long form- you have a condensed form. Please- go on the website and submit your form. http://www.bscbears.com/Administration/Sports_Medicine/Microsoft_Word_-_PPHealthQuestionnaire2007Returners.pdf

Even if you are a winter or spring sport- we are looking to get them all done.

Remember- if you are a returner- no physical is necessary. If you insurance has changed- please get us the copy of the new card.

Hope your summer training is going well and look forward to seeing the fall athletes in a couple weeks!!