JOHN DOHERTY: Shrinkage may be salvation of NFL

Amid the hysteria permeating Major League Baseball's Biogenesis scandal, the media largely continues to ignore the 600-pound gorilla sitting in the room.

JOHN DOHERTY: Timing a key to concussion recovery

Over the past five years, there has been a steady increase among players, parents, coaches, and medical professionals in the understanding of the need to sit in the immediate aftermath of concussion. Despite the improved appreciation for the initial gravity of the situation, the question fro…

Two tales of one athletic trainer

For athletic trainer Tim Bream, it is most certainly the best of times and the worst of times.

JOHN DOHERTY: Second Impact Syndrome worth second thought

First, let’s be clear, Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) is extremely rare. I know of only one documented case in the last 25 years in Indiana.

JOHN DOHERTY: The Is have it: Illinois feels same heat as Iowa, Indiana next

One day after I wrote last week's column on Iowa banning two-a-day high school football practices effective this fall, the Illinois High School Association announced its own plan to battle heat illness. It didn't go as far as Iowa. Instead, it mimicked the NCAA, banning two-a-days on consecu…

Sun setting on two-a-days

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine isn’t the first place administrators, athletic trainers, coaches, and team physicians refer to for guidance. However, a study published there in January and cited last week in Scientific American warrants their interest.

SPORTS MEDICINE: Injuries which are tough to stomach kneed watching

Rather than Manti Te’o not being drafted in the first round, D.J. Hayden being taken by Oakland with the 12th overall pick should have been THE story of last week’s NFL draft.

JOHN DOHERTY: Haste makes for waste at higher levels

The higher the level of sports, it is logical to assume, the better are the agents, athletes, coaches, management types, medics and scouts.

JOHN DOHERTY: Achilles tendon injury fatal only to Achilles

According to Greek mythology, Achilles was an invincible warrior during the Trojan War.

JOHN DOHERTY: Achilles tendon injuries fatal only to Achilles

According to Greek mythology, Achilles was an invincible warrior during the Trojan War. His power, it was thought, came from being dipped in the River Styx as a child by his mother. However in so doing, she gripped him tightly by the back of the heel, not allowing the water to touch him ther…

JOHN DOHERTY: Questions loom as NCAA hoops season ends

With Monday's final game of March Madness, we now know which is the best men’s college basketball team in the land.

JOHN DOHERTY: In new season, baseball clings largely to past

New helmets, strong enough to withstand a 100 mph fastball, will be the law of the land in Major League Baseball this season. Supposedly they will prevent concussions.

'New' concussion guidelines long overdue

Since their release eight days ago, the updated Sports Concussion Guidelines issued by the American Academy of Neurology have generated quite the buzz. Every major television network trumpeted the news. Even the Wall Street Journal took interest.

JOHN DOHERTY: For ACL recovery, the mind matters

I have long said an athlete tearing his or her ACL is much like a death in the family. Certainly not the same, but “much like" in that the athlete and his or her family experience genuine grief — with all its stages.

JOHN DOHERTY: ABCs of ACL lost in NBA

Basketball certainly is a contact sport — and that's just in the sports section of the newspaper. The verbal jousting of late has been as bad as I've seen — and that's just among members of the same team.

JOHN DOHERTY: Athletic trainers march on

With a slogan that reads, “Every Body Needs an Athletic Trainer,” the National Athletic Trainers’ Association has designated March as National Athletic Training Month.

JOHN DOHERTY: Current events recall sad anniversary

Munster High School's boys basketball team completed its second undefeated season in school history on Friday. The first time it happened was two years ago, and just a week later, 120 miles from here, Fennville (Mich.) High School also completed an undefeated regular season – a little more f…

JOHN DOHERTY: Cardiac safety legislation well-intended but not well-aimed

Over the last four years, the NFL and like-minded groups have had one success after another promoting youth concussion safety legislation in statehouses nationwide.

JOHN DOHERTY: Concussion season is never ending

Football season may have ended Sunday but concussion season did not. Other sports and recreational activities continue and, with them, hits to the head.

JOHN DOHERTY: NFL injury practices far from letter perfect

DEAR JOHN DOHERTY: The New England Patriots played tight end Rob Gronkowski in the divisional playoff game. And he breaks his arm AGAIN! Can you comment on whether a poor and rushed decision was made?-- Thomas Thiel