NCAA Sports Science Institute Resources: Supporting Student-Athlete Well-being

The NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) plays a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting the health and well-being of college athletes. Recognizing the unique challenges and demands faced by these individuals, the NCAA provides a comprehensive suite of resources, research initiatives, and best practices guidelines. This article explores the various ways in which the NCAA SSI supports member schools and student-athletes in areas such as mental health, sports wagering, substance use, and overall wellness.

Mental Health Support

The NCAA is deeply committed to supporting the mental well-being of student-athletes. Guidance and resources are available to empower schools in their responsibility to provide for the mental health of student-athletes. The NCAA Mental Health Best Practices provide evidence- and consensus-based recommendations to member schools for supporting and promoting student-athlete mental health. Student-athletes, coaches, faculty athletics representatives and athletics administrators each play a vital role in fostering healthy environments that supports mental health and well-being.

Educational Modules and Summits

The NCAA offers interactive educational modules designed to promote mental wellness, build resiliency, and encourage help-seeking behaviors. These modules aim to equip student-athletes with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage stress, cope with challenges, and seek support when needed.

The NCAA has hosted national Mental Health Summits that bring together student-athletes, medical experts, and campus leaders to identify key concerns and share strategies to improve mental health support. These summits have highlighted the importance of inclusive care, reducing stigma, and fostering help-seeking environments-especially for historically marginalized groups.

Mental Health Task Force and Initiatives

To advance mental health efforts across college sports, the NCAA has launched initiatives and task forces that bring together experts in medicine, psychology, and higher education. The NCAA Mental Health Task Force (est. Returning Student-Athlete ResourcesParticipation ClearanceReturning student-athletes must complete all required paperwork prior to participation in USD sponsored events. All required documents and concussion baseline testing are listed below.

Research Initiatives

The NCAA supports ongoing research to better understand and improve the mental health and wellness of student-athletes. These research initiatives provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by student-athletes and inform the development of effective interventions and support programs.

American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA)

Using data from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment IIc (ACHA- NCHA IIc), NCAA research has examined the self-reported mental health concerns of NCAA student-athletes in comparison with their nonathlete peers. In collaboration with the ACHA, the sample is limited to participants from NCAA-member institutions and then further restricted to full-time undergraduate students, ages 18-24. This research helps to identify specific mental health challenges faced by student-athletes and inform targeted interventions.

NCAA GOALS Study

The GOALS Survey is a quadrennial, NCAA study of the experiences and well-being of current college athletes. It provides the SSI and the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport, as well as NCAA committees, policymakers and member schools, with the most detailed information to date on a range of important issues.

NCAA Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study

The NCAA Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Study is a national study of college student-athletes that examines various topics including student-athlete mental health concerns and peer support, sleep behaviors, attitudes toward weight and body image, nutrition, competition and injury history, and substance use experiences.

NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study

The NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes during spring 2020, fall 2020 and fall 2021. NCAA Research collaborated with the NCAA Sport Science Institute and the NCAA’s Division I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees to design and distribute the surveys to student-athletes spanning three divisions, all sports and athletics conferences. This study provided critical insights into the unique challenges faced by student-athletes during the pandemic and informed the development of support strategies.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Addressing Sports Wagering

The NCAA has had bylaws restricting sports wagering for many years because leaders in college athletics consistently and steadfastly believe that sports wagering not only threatens the integrity of the game but also is an entry point into other behaviors that may compromise student-athlete health and well-being. The NCAA recognizes the potential risks associated with sports wagering and its impact on student-athlete well-being. The NCAA Collegiate Wagering Study provides data and insights into the prevalence and impact of sports wagering among college athletes.

Substance Use Prevention

The NCAA is committed to preventing substance use among student-athletes and provides resources to support member schools in their efforts.

NCAA Student-Athlete Substance Use Study

The NCAA Student-Athlete Substance Use Survey is a quadrennial survey that collects data on the substance use patterns of college athletes. It helps inform the SSI, the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport and NCAA policymakers with current and historical information concerning levels of student-athlete drug and alcohol use.

Substance Abuse Prevention Toolkit

According to NCAA, the kit was developed in collaboration with athletics stakeholders and campus substance abuse prevention experts. It provides recommended approaches and evidence-based resources for athletics administrators to address alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug abuse. “At the college level, athletic trainers are on the front lines with these athletes every day and can help recognize the initial warning signs of substance abuse,” said NATA President Scott Sailor, EdD, ATC. “We are proud to endorse this toolkit that provides vital resources for our members.

Sports Nutrition

The University of South Dakota recognizes that nutrition is an essential tier in sports performance. USD partners with Sanford Health to provide unique nutrition and dietary needs consultation opportunities for our student-athletes. The USD Sports Medicine and Strength & Conditioning staffs strive to provide information regarding proper fueling for training, performance, recovery and overall wellness.

Some common topics that we will provide guidance to our student-athletes include the following:

Training and competition nutrition
Travel nutrition and snacks
Recovery tactics
Body composition management
Hydration strategies
Grocery store navigation
Nutrient deficiencies
Appropriate supplementation
Meal Prep Ideas
Food Safety

USD sports medicine encourages a whole food-first approach to proper nutrition, using food as our primary recommendation to meet needs for nutrients, calories and hydration.

We address supplementation on a case-by-case basis and strongly encourage our student-athletes to approach us with questions regarding the supplements they take. The NCAA provides a list of banned substances as a resource for coaches, sports performance specialists and student-athletes. While this list covers all of the categories, some supplements may contain trace elements of banned substances and therefore cause an athlete to provide a positive drug test sample.

Medical Support and Insurance

Medical Insurance and Medical Billing InformationStudent-Athlete Insurance PolicyParticipation in intercollegiate athletics carries with it the inherent risk of injuries. When such injuries occur, the University of South Dakota cannot assume indefinite responsibility for continuing medical care that might be subsequently required. Subject to the limitations stated hereinafter, however, the University of South Dakota does accept certain obligations.University ObligationsWhen a student-athlete is injured during the official NCAA playing and practice season, sanctioned competition or University sponsored travel to or from competition under the University of South Dakota’s athletic department auspices, the University will provide the following assistance to the injured student. For purposes of this policy, University sanctioned athletic activity includes all practices on university or shared community facilities authorized by a coach, and any events to which an athlete travels with University support or financial assistance.All student-athletes must have their own medical insurance. The University of South Dakota’s athletics department assists in the coordination of insurance benefits, whereby the student-athlete’s own, parents’ or legal guardians’ insurance is primary and the institution’s is secondary.Approved medical costs associated with the injury must be submitted to the student-athlete’s personal insurance policy. The university will cover costs during the current academic year of the student-athlete’s enrollment that exceed the $3,000.00 deductible of the insurance plan.The University of South Dakota reserves the first right to obtain medical opinions from medical staff of its choice about the injury and the necessity and reasonableness of any particular treatment of an injury.If the student-athlete seeks a second opinion from a physician other than a South Dakota team physician, and the second opinion confirms the opinion of a team physician, South Dakota will only provide financial assistance for charges associated with the services performed by a South Dakota team physician.LimitationsThe foregoing is subject to the following limitations:All treatment of injuries must be authorized or administered by the University of South Dakota. Any outside treatment obtained by an injured athlete without the University’s authorization will be the financial responsibility of the student-athlete.Any athlete injured in events or competition not conducted or sanctioned by the university is not eligible for financial medical assistance.If an injured athlete withdraws or graduates from South Dakota, the provision of medical care and financial medical assistance will be terminated.No provisions of this policy shall be interpreted to conflict with applicable NCAA rules and regulations.The benefit period for the insurance program offered by USD Athletics has a two (2) year time frame in which to incur expenses.

Participation Clearance

Incoming Freshmen/Transfer Student-Athlete ResourcesParticipation ClearanceIncoming freshmen/transfer student-athletes must complete all required paperwork prior to participation in USD sponsored events. All required documents and concussion baseline testing are listed below.

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