At the annual meetings of the American Public Health Association (APHA) in Philadelphia, PA this past weekend (see http://www.apha.org/meetings/) the APHA came out with the results of a survey of teens that stated that teenage boys who played football are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors such as drugs, drinking and violence.
We at ISPA and I independently in my clinical practice (see www.DrJohnMayer.com) have been saying for some time that we must be concerned about the youth culture within sports and how it can be a delicate environment, one where young people can learn negative behaviors just as much as they can learn the positive behaviors that we traditionally think sports can foster.
In my experience the negatives traits and behaviors that can grow out of sports can be prevented and even reversed by those adults who are in leadership roles in sports. It is our passion at ISPA to reach sports professionals in all fields, coaches, trainers, and the media to make a difference in this very issue of the fragile balance in sports at all levels between good values and harmful ones.
We need your help to spread the word about the International Sports Professionals Association-ISPA and our mission to improve the world of sports.
Dr. John E. Mayer, President
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