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District should consider annual exams
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FarkTragedy struck Steven’s High School and a local family recently when a 16-year-old boy died on the athletic field. It was a shock to family, friends and the community.
There was no blame to place, nor should there have been.
But it does open the door to examine the Rapid City Area School District policy of sports’ exams every three years, rather than every one year, however. We do need to make it clear that an annual exam wouldn’t have changed what happened at Stevens. Ryan Gramberg’s enlarged heart would only have been detected by more advanced testing, such as an echocardiogram.
But in light of this tragic incident, we do think there’s a possibility an annual exam could detect a health/fitness issue that would otherwise be missed over the course of two high school athletic seasons.
Why not err on the side of caution and require annual physical exams for athletes taking part in school-sponsored activities?
Currently, the South Dakota High School Activities Association sets minimum standards for physical exams — once every three years for the exam and a comprehensive medical history.
In addition, if the physical isn’t done annually, a parental permit for the athlete is required each year.
The current physical examination has been in place for about 15 years. At the recommendation of the medical community, a more comprehensive physical examination was put in place. When that was done, athletes were required to receive the physical every third year rather than annually.
At this time, the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) isn’t discussing any changes in regards to the frequency of the physical exam policy.
Bob Lowery, assistant executive director of the SDHSAA said changes in policy would likely be recommended by the medical community, not the high school activities association.
“We feel very comfortable with the form we have in place and if there needs to be updates we’ll take our lead from the Department of Health and the medical community,” Lowery said.
However, even without the directive from the activities association to require annual exams, the Rapid City school district should consider requiring annual physicals for its athletes. It isn’t cost prohibitive to the athletes and it simply would be an additional safeguard in place.
Douglas School District and Sioux Falls School District require annual exams as do Wyoming and Nebraska.
Rapid City should err on the side of caution and follow suit.
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