Sports and Health

Aulani Marley | Feb. 10, 2020 | Sports

Stanton College Preparatory School offers a wide choice of unique clubs and diverse extracurriculars for students to be involved in, and has gained attention for its achievements and awards in academics. Stanton also offers sports health programs and opportunities for student-athletes to obtain the proper assistance in regards to injuries or problems maintaining their academic performance. There are clubs, courses, and organized teams within the school’s sports programs available for students to become physically active in a variety of ways at any time of the year. 

Student-athletes, especially those on Stanton’s varsity teams, often train throughout the year to build their endurance and prepare for the upcoming season. Being physically active offers a variety of health benefits for individuals, especially students.

“Regular exercise helps people develop healthy habits, strength, and cardiovascular fitness,” said sports psychologist Dr. Mark Register, who works for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in Jacksonville, Fla. “Those who are disciplined to play a sport or exercise regularly tend to have better health outcomes such as reduced incidence of diabetes and obesity.”

Exercising regularly offers various health benefits, especially to developing adolescents and students. Routine exercise builds stamina, prevents possible health problems, and can benefit the mental health of individuals by releasing internalized stress. 

“I think it is important for students to be involved in a form of [physical] activity because it helps your overall health,” said senior Mary McDonnell, who is on Stanton’s varsity volleyball team, as a libero (defensive specialist) and outside hitter. “Being physically active can reduce stress and anxiety. When I’m feeling stressed, I go for a run or to the gym and I feel better.” 

Physical activity can act as an outlet for students, especially for Stanton students, who deal with the stress and effects of a rigorous and heavy academic course load. Having practice or a game after school can also be an event for students to look forward to, acting as a break from school. 

“I think being physically active is beneficial because I can release some stress,” said sophomore Riti Ammanabrolu, a player on Stanton’s tennis team. “I look forward to [playing tennis] after sitting in a classroom all day because it allows me to get some exercise.”

While sports help students generally feel better as they release stress while they exercise, it also offers biological benefits. Routine exercise aids the overall physical state of an individual by alleviating stress, enhancing performance, and improving mood. 

“Student-athletes will find commitment to exercise is an excellent way to shut off stressors from the classroom, family, friendship groups, and social media,” said Dr. Register. “They allow endorphins to elevate their mood during training and competition while cortisol, a stress hormone, is diminished.”

Stanton also offers health and sports classes in addition to its sports teams, such as Team Sports, Soccer, and Basketball. Offering the opportunity for students to become physically active within the school day allows individuals to receive the benefits of exercise without the commitment of an after-school sport. 

There are also courses available at Stanton that focus on sports medicine, which enables students who have aspirations of becoming athletic trainers or physical therapists to learn more about the job’s purpose.  Health Opportunities and Physical Education (HOPE), First Aid Safety, and Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries are courses students can take to become more educated on sports medicine. Classes focused on sports education may help students decide if they want to pursue a career path involving sports medicine.

“I think classes [such as First Aid Safety and HOPE] are important because they help people stay healthy,” said Coach Robert Fleming, the Department Chair of Physical Education and Health at Stanton. “Healthcare is a field that may interest students and these classes will help students make career decisions.”

In addition to offering a variety of courses to help students become more educated on sports medicine themselves, Stanton also employs an athletic trainer available on campus for students to get help. Stanton’s athletic trainer, Mrs. Lacey Bracken, is available for student-athletes to see whenever they are having any issues with their athletic performance or injuries. 

“As an athletic trainer, I am a licensed healthcare provider who is trained in prevention and recognition of sports-related injuries,” said Mrs. Bracken. “I am able to complete rehabilitation protocols, refer to medical doctors when necessary, prevent injuries through hydration, and provide continuous sports-related education for athletes, parents, and coaches.”

Mrs. Bracken also sponsors the SCP Sports Medicine Club, which gives students the opportunity to understand the field of sports medicine within this club. Members can expand their knowledge on sports medicine and interact with other sports-minded individuals while helping others within the community. 

“I believe SCP Sports Medicine Club is important because not only do you receive volunteer hours, but you get the opportunity to help others by providing healthy snacks before a sports game or learning the specifics of an injury,” said sophomore Jaydon Ellison.

SCP Sports Medicine Club offers students the opportunity to understand the field of sports medicine and become involved by helping student-athletes prepare for their sports games. In addition, the club helps expand students’ knowledge on other aspects of health.

“Sports Medicine Club is a wonderful opportunity to expose students to the physiology of the human body in a fun way,” said Ellison. “I believe this is important because Sports Medicine Club members can apply these concepts to their everyday life.”

Mrs. Bracken explained how she offers support for student-athletes within the school day and at their games. She arrives on Stanton’s campus around 1 p.m. daily for students to visit her office in case they need assistance with injuries they obtained while exercising or participating in their sport. 

“Student-athletes come to see me most often for their injuries and how to care for them,” said Mrs. Bracken. “Whether that is the prevention of further injury such as rehabilitation, post-injury treatment such as modalities and ice, or to answer medical-related questions.” 

Mrs. Bracken attended Georgia Southern University, earning her Bachelor’s degree of Science in Athletic Training, and has applied her experience from the university to her belief that high schools should have an athletic trainer available for students involved in physical activities.

“I believe it is important for high schools to have athletic trainers to have someone medically trained to respond to injuries and medical emergencies to provide the appropriate care until EMS [Emergency Medical Services] can arrive,” said Mrs. Bracken. “It’s also important to be a leader and advocate in sports safety for athletic competition so athletes can participate safely.”

Athletic trainers are present during sporting events in case any players are injured during their games. Mrs. Bracken explained how this allows players’ injuries to be assessed and so these players may obtain the help necessary either from the athletic trainers or from medical professionals.

Participation in sports during high school can offer a variety of benefits to the overall physical and developmental health of an individual throughout the course of their lives. Mrs. Bracken discussed how being involved in sports earlier in her life helped later on and helped to shape her interests and traits today.

“Sports are a great way for students to decompress and have an outlet to express themselves,” said Mrs. Bracken. “Athletics shaped me to be the person I am today, teaching me hard work, perseverance, commitment, obedience, and teamwork. Coaches teach you great skills during sports that stick with you for the rest of your life.”

Sports involvement offers a wide range of benefits, especially for students at Stanton who must work through rigorous classes throughout the school day. Stanton’s choice of sports and courses enables students to have the opportunity to become physically active within the school day and to have an outlet after school. Having health programs available to students and individuals specialized in these areas can help further the benefits, enabling students to thrive and grow.