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Sports-Related Concussions & Subconcussive Injuries

Playing from the Same Playbook on Concussions

Because the signs and symptoms of concussions are not obvious as a broken leg or a sprained ankle and are often very subtle, because the vast majority don't involve a loss of consciousness, and because self-reporting by athletes is critical to the detection and treatment of concussions, the only way parents can sit in the stands without worrying sick about what might happen if their son or daughter suffers a concussion is if they know they and their child's program takes concussions very seriously and that every member of the team is using the same playbook.

Neurocognitive Testing For Concussions

Baseline and post-concussion neuropsychological (NP) testing is now recommended for all athletes in sports with a high risk of concussion (e.g. football, lacrosse, hockey, soccer, basketball), regardless of age or level of performance, but the timing and type of testing may need to be adjusted for children and adolescents.

Football Leads in Concussions, Catastrophic Injuries

Football is still responsible for the majority of concussions at the
high school level and the highest concussion rate.

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Recovering From A Sports Concussion Not Just A Waiting Game

Matt Stresak, Physician's Assistant at the Sports Concussion Institute in Marina del Rey, California, talks about the Institute's pro-active approach to concussion evaluation and management.

Concussions in Boys' Lacrosse

Neal Goldman, Brand Manager for Men's Lacrosse at Brine, talks about ways to reduce the risk of concussions in boy's lacrosse.

Death of Ex-NFL Star Highlights Need for Vigilence on Concussions

The finding by a neuropathologist that brain damage from repeated concussions suffered by former NFL star Andre Waters likely led to his depression and ultimate death by suicide in November 2006 highlights once again the critical need for parents and youth athletes to become educated and proactive about concussions.

Head Injury Doubles Risk Of Second Within 6 Months, Study Says

An April 2007 Canadian study found that children receiving emergency room treatment for a head injury (HI) are nearly twice as likely to experience another HI requiring medical attention in the next six months compared to children who initially visited the ER for a non-head related injury. The Canadian study is consistent with earlier study finding that once an athlete suffers a concussion, the risk of suffering a second concussion is three to four times greater.

Concussion Management Advice From NATA

In recent years, new scientific research and clinical-based literature have given the athletic training and medical professions a wealth of updated information on the treatment of sport-related concussion. To provide athletic trainers, physicians, other medical professionals, parents and coaches with recommendations based on these latest studies, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) has developed a set of guidelines to prevent and manage sport-related concussion and improve decisions about whether an athlete should or should not return to play after experiencing head trauma.

Balance Error Scoring System: Useful Tool in Assessing Concussion

One of the signs usually but not always present with concussion is poor balance. An athlete's balance and equilibrium can be tested using low-technology, intermediate technology, and high-technology methods, but the most widely used and validated is the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

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