NFLPA draws up a playbook for player safety

A playbook is a collection of strategies that allows a team to deceive their opponent at crucial times during the course of a contest. Football players are aware of the importance of their playbook and the secrecy that surrounds its contents. The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has taken the playbook concept and applied it to improving the health of all its members and their families.

The recently released NFLPA Health Playbook is a compendium of easy-to-understand health information that addresses common illnesses facing both active and former players. It was designed and written by members of the NFLPA Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee. It is divided into four broad sections:

1. Performance
2. Medical diseases and conditions
3. Orthopedics and musculoskeletal conditions
4. Neurology and neurotrauma

Specific topics were chosen based on information obtained through research conducted as part of the Football Player Health Study at Harvard University.

The performance section discusses the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders, as well as a variety of mental health disorders. Among the medical conditions, diabetes mellitus and the potential complications from it are explained along with a variety of treatments. This section also addresses hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and peripheral neuropathy. The chapters covering neurologic conditions and concussions are highly informative.

“The NFLPA is committed to ensuring that our player members receive the best medical care in the world,” reports Sean Sansiveri, NFLPA vice president of business and legal affairs. “This playbook serves as our latest effort to equip players and their families with the knowledge and resources necessary to achieve overall wellness for their betterment as people and patients.”

Although the NFLPA Health Playbook provides a concise, thorough review of health topics designed to support active and former football players, it is actually an excellent guide for all athletes and the general public.

Like other playbooks, the health playbook will be continually updated as new medical issues and treatments develop. The full publication is available online as a courtesy of the NFLPA, and can be found by searching “NFLPA Health Playbook.”

Dr. Alessi is a neurologist in Norwich and serves as an on-air contributor for ESPN. He is director of UConn NeuroSport and can be reached at agalessi@uchc.edu.