Health & Safety

After Concussion: Return To Play Is Step By Step Process

As soon as an athlete is symptom free, he can start the step by step process towards a return to full game play, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III, starting with light aerobic exercise, and, if concussion symptoms don't recur, to more rigorous aerobic exercise, non-contact practice, full-contact practices, and eventually game play.

Neurocognitive Testing Lead To Increased Concussion Awareness

It was only when the use of pre-season and post-concussion neurocognitive testing proved that concussions were having a real effect on brain function that the sports and medical community began to take them seriously, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III.

Retiring After Concussions: Athlete's Level of Play, Realistic Long-Term Goals Are Factors

It is reasonable for professional athletes and college athletes with a realistic possibility of a pro career to accept more risk in deciding whether to retire after suffering series of concussions but other athletes should assume less risk, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III.

After Concussion: Physical and Cognitive Rest Essential, Academic Accommodations Sometimes Required

In most cases, athletes who get five days of complete physical and cognitive rest and stay home from school after a concussion can return to the classroom the following week, but some may need academic accommodations, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III.

Report Reveals Epidemic of Obesity Among Children With Special Needs, Outlines Solutions

Children with special needs are far more likely to be overweight or obese than their counterparts according to "Finding Balance: Obesity and Children with Special Needs," the second in a series of groundbreaking reports produced by AbilityPath.org, an online resource and social community for parents and professionals serving the needs of adults and children with disabilities.

Tools For Sideline Assessment of Concussion

Depression Common Where Concussion Recovery Is Prolonged

Baseline Concussion Testing: Why Sandbagging Is A Bad Idea

Concussion expert Dr. William P. Meehan, III explains why athletes who try to intentionally fail a baseline neurocognitive test in order to be able to return to play sooner after a concussion are only putting themselves at risk.

Steps Athletes Can Take To Reduce Concussion Risk

There are four steps an athlete, such as a hockey player, can take to reduce their concussion risk, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III: learning to play with their head up, strengthening their neck and shoulder muscles, not returning too soon from a previous concussion, and avoiding hits from behind.

Concussions: Prompt Reporting, Proper Management Keys To Full Recovery

Prompt reporting of concussion symptoms and proper concussion management should allow an athlete to play contact or collision sports as long as they want. It is athletes who hide symptoms, return to play too soon, or sustain multiple injuries whose careers may be cut short, says concussion expert, Dr. William P. Meehan.