* When athletes see a hit coming, they instinctively flex their neck muscles.  Since it is the acceleration of the brain after a force is applied or transmitted to the head that results in concussion, reducing the acceleration of the head after impact can reduce the risk of sustaining a sport-related concussion.  One way to do that is by strengthening the neck muscles, says Dr. William Meehan, Director of the Sports Concussion Clinic at Children’s Hospital Boston, who suggests adding some simple strengthening exercises to an athlete’s current resistance training.

* Among the things which increase the anxiety level of parents of kids playing contact or collision sports is the absence of a certified athletic trainer, who has received training in treating sports injuries, including heat illness, spine and neck injuries, sudden cardiac arrest, and in recognizing the often subtle signs of concussion.  Nearly 6 out of 10 U.S. high schools don’t have access to an AT.  MomsTEAM’s Brooke de Lench explains why an AT should be an athletic department’s very next hire.

* Unless your child has been to physical therapy for an injury before, you may not know what to think or expect as a parent.  Physical therapist Keith Cronin, DPT offered three tips for parents to make the rehabilitation process as smooth as possible and keep what’s important in perspective.

* Keeping kids well nourished for sports and school is always a challenge. MomsTEAM asked top sports nutritionists for their advice for parents and here’s what they said.

* While most of the public and media attention concerning anabolic-androgenic steroid  abuse has been focused on professional athletes, abuse of these powerful drugs is also a serious problem at the high school and collegiate levels of sport.  In a valuable new position statement, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association summarizes the best available evidence related to the AAS use.  Read why it is so vital that health care professionals, coaches, parents, administrators and the athletes themselves know the signs and symptoms of possible AAS abuse so they can educate others with the most current and accurate information and engage in an open, honest, and evidence-based dialog with all stakeholders.