Concussions in high school sports

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow, jolt or penetration to the head that disrupts the function of the brain. Most TBIs are caused by falls, jumps, motor vehicle traffic crashes, being struck by a person or a blunt object, and assault. Student athletes may be put at risk in school sports, creating concern about concussions and brain injury. A concussion can be caused by

• a direct blow to the head,
• or an indirect blow to the body that causes reactions in the brain.

The result of a concussion is neurological impairment that may resolve spontaneously, but may also have long-term consequences.

Video Concussions in high school sports

Background

Many teens engage in extracurricular activities including sports that can pose risk of injury. Some sports that create a more significant risk of a head injury or concussion include basketball, cheerleading, soccer, and football. High school football accounts for a significant percentage of head injuries that result from high school sports.

Maps Concussions in high school sports

Prevention

Prevention efforts in high school athletics may include:

• Conditioning, teaching and practice of techniques that reduce the chance of injury. For example, a football player who learns the proper way to tackle, spends time in the weight room, and maintains overall good health choices is more likely to avoid situations which put them in harm's way.
• Concussion response programs that take concussions seriously, limit the number of concussions a student may have while continuing to participate in a sport, and that monitor for recovery and residual effects of concussion.

Coaches, parents and students should educate themselves about concussions, including knowing the signs of a concussion, and being prepared to respond appropriately to incidents of head trauma and concussion.

Schools should implement formal concussion plans that include elements of education, prevention, recognition, evaluation and management, so as to not only reduce the chance of concussion, but to ensure that concussions are promptly diagnosed and that concussed student athletes receive proper medical care and are not endangered by a premature return to sports. School concussion plans should also have a formal system for tracking compliance, and for identifying and responding to any deviations from the plan's standards.

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Signs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists of possible signs of concussion that may appear in a student athlete after a jolt to the head or body, including:

• a dazed appearance,
• confusion,
• forgetfulness,
• lack of confidence in actions,
• clumsiness,
• slower than normal,
• loss of consciousness,
• changes in mood, behavior, or personality, and
• inability to remember events prior to, or after the hit.

An injured student may report any of these signs as well as sensitivity to light or sound, double vision, a headache, or other abnormal feelings. A student who has been diagnosed with a concussion may become frustrated, impatient, and angry about the situation.

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Response

A concussed player should receive proper medical treatment, and should be excluded from practices and games until cleared to play by a qualified medical professional.

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See also

• Concussions in American football
• Concussions in sports

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References

Source of the article : Wikipedia