Concussions in Sports: An informational

guide for athletes

By: Michael Raletz

What is a Concussion?O An injury to the

brain resulting from an impact to the head

O Can be caused by a direct blow to the head or a jarring force

Brain Injury

Epidemic in SportsO Coaches, trainers, parents, and even

the athlete have trouble spotting concussion symptoms

O Concussions are still slipping through and causing further injury and permanent damage.

Advancements in Sports

O Enforcement on less helmet to helmet hits

O Proper tackling techniques enforcedO Stricter return to play guidelinesO Improvements in equipment to

prevent further injury

Concussion SymptomsO Headache

O Blurred Vision

O Ringing in Ears

O Blacked Out

Concussion Symptoms(concussion)

O Feeling foggy

O Fatigue

O Sensitivity to light

O Nauseous

Concussion Symptoms(continued)

O Amnesia

O Depression

O Loss of Balance

O Trouble Concentrating

O Dizziness

O Seeing Stars

O Change in Behavior

O Trouble Sleeping

How to Spot a Concussion

O Notice the mechanism of injuryO Look for concussion symptomsO Ask relative questions to test

memoryO Check vision and hearingO ImPACT

ImPACT Concussion Test

O ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing)

O Used to diagnose concussions and their severity

O Stores patients normal scores and compares them to concussion scores

How to Prevent ConcussionsO Proper Equipment FittingO Mouth GuardsO Proper tackling techniques taughtO Running with head up

Concussion Videoshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkWTGKNLT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqDyrTroXdY

Post Concussion Syndrome O Post-concussion syndrome can occur

when an athlete comes back from a concussion injury to soon before fully healing, and suffers a second concussion

O Can cause lingering effects such as prolonged symptoms and further damage

Second Impact Syndrome

O Occurs from an athlete sustaining a concussion and then goes right back into play and taking a second blow to the head

O A life threatening injury that causes a hypoxic need to the brain(suffocating the brain)

Return to PlayO Athletes should not be cleared to

play until fully cleared by athletic trainer or a physician

O Should follow the Zurich Concussion GuidelinesO Six step guideline, where each step

takes 24 hours and no symptoms to complete

O If set back occurs during anytime, they shall return to step one and work back up

Zurich: First Step

O Concussion symptoms should be gone

O No Activity should be done until so

Zurich: Second Step

O After 24 hours symptom free of step one, light exercise should be prescribed.O Example-Light jog or elliptical workout

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Third Step

O After 24 hours symptom free of step two, sport related exercise should be prescribed.O Example- Soccer dribbling for soccer

playersO Example- Football catch and light

rout-running for football receivers.

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Fourth Step

O After 24 hours symptom free from step three, non-contact training drills should be prescribed.O Example- Increased intensity footwork

drills

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Fifth Step

O After 24 hour symptom free from step four, full contact practice should be allowed pending clearance

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Sixth Step

O If no set back occur from steps one through five, and is cleared to play, athlete may return to play

The End

ReferencesO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkWTG

KNLT8O http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqDyrTroXdYO Impacttest.comO Sterner, R. (2012). Interview by M Raletz

[Personal Interview]. Lecture notes. Head Injuries, Rowan University.

O Logan, K. (2010). Recognition and Management of Post-Concussion Syndrome. Athletic Therapy Today, 15(3), 4-7.

O Impacttest.com