Nontraumatic injuries in the ncaa: Collegiate football strength coaches should exercise caution this off-season

Strength and conditioning coaches were allegedly involved in pre-COVID-19 nontraumatic injuries/deaths (e.g., exertional heat illness, exertional rhabdomyolysis, cardiorespiratory failure) of NCAA (mainly football) student-athletes during off-season training sessions. During the COVID-19 health crisis, non-pharmaceutical interventions against the SARS-CoV-2 virus included suspension of NCAA seasons, which led to student-athletes exhibiting lower levels of mental health. All NCAA championships have now been reinstated. This summer the off-season is unique, because as several programs had stopped practicing/competing for several months, it may foster additional threats to the wellbeing of the student-athletes. Immediate supplementary action may be necessary this collegiate football off-season in order to lower the probability of potential tragic/catastrophic events due to physical and psychological side-effects stemming from the prolonged inactivity period. © 2021, Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved.