Penn State Abington University Athletics

Sickle Cell Trait Testing:
 

• Effective August 1, 2014 for all student-athletes, the NCAA mandates that all Division III institutions either:

 

1. Confirm the sickle cell trait status of a student-athlete or provide education while test results are pending (a copy of the applicable NCAA Bylaws are attached); or

 

2. Receive a signed waiver from the student-athlete declining to be tested and acknowledging the institution provided education regarding sickle cell trait status.

 
For a copy of the NCAA Bylaws please click on the “NCAA Bylaws”.
 

• To comply with this requirement Penn State Abington requires that all student-athletes do one of the following prior to participating in any athletically related activity, including required strength and conditioning sessions, practices, competitions, etc.:

 

1. Be tested for sickle cell trait status at your own expense and engage in mandatory education related to sickle cell trait status prior to participation while test results are pending.
    

 

2. Show proof of a prior test and provide documented results of that test to the institution.
    

3. Sign the attached waiver declining confirmation of sickle cell trait status, acknowledging the risks of injury or illness resulting from sickle cell trait, and releasing Penn State Abington from any liability. If the student-athlete chooses not to be tested for sickle cell trait prior to participation, the athlete must complete the “Penn State Abington Sickle Waiver” and return it to the Sports Medicine staff.

 
Info About Sickle Cell Trait:
 

• Sickle cell trait is an inherited condition of the oxygen-carrying protein, hemoglobin, in red blood cells.
  
   
• Although sickle cell trait is most predominant in African-Americans and those of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, Caribbean, and South and Central American ancestry, persons of all races and ancestry may test positive for sickle cell trait.
   
• Sickle cell trait is usually benign, but during intense, sustained exercise, hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the tissue) may cause red blood cells to change shape from a normal disc shape to a crescent or “sickle” shape.  Such cells can accumulate in the bloodstream and “log jam” blood vessels, blocking circulation to muscles, as well as the heart, leading to a collapse from the decreased circulation of blood.

 
For more information about Sickle Cell, please click on the “NCAA Sickle Cell Fact Sheet”