“Sports-Related Concussions”

Damon Jefferson

“Every year the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 300,000 concussions are sustained during sport-related activity in the United States, although the exact incidence is unknown due to lack of recognition or failure of the individual to report symptoms” (Batten, 2008, p.1).

Definition...

A concussion occurs when there is a temporary alteration in consciousness after a severe blow to the head. A concussion is the least severe of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Sports-related concussions generally occur in the following contact sports:

Football Boxing

Hockey Soccer

COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

There have been numerous grading systems devised to assist doctors and certified athletic trainers with determining the severity of a concussion. The most widely and universally used grading system was developed by the American Academy of Neurology….

Simple Concussions *Most common type (90% of all concussions) *Exhibit symptoms that progressively resolve in 7-10 days

Complex Concussions *Cause persistent symptoms (>1-2 weeks) *Loss of Consciousness greater than 1 minute *Associated with post concussive convulsions *Sustains additional concussion while recovering from initial concussion

SIMPLE CONCUSSIONS COMPLEX CONCUSSIONS

Second Impact Syndrome-Occurs when the athlete receives a second strike after still being symptomatic from a previous concussion

- -Rapid brain swelling occurs over seconds to minutes- -Bleak prognosis (usually results in death or permanent brain damage)

Post-Concussions Syndrome -Symptoms are present more than 1 week from initial injury

-Usually require formal neuropsychological testing

Post-Concussive Syndrome-Seizures-Not due to structural brain damage

Although some injuries are unavoidable, sport organizations have placed a greater emphasis on minimizing traumatic injuries.

All concussions should be taken seriously.

A concussion is a form of a brain injury ranging from mild to serious (death).

Concussions do not have to be followed by a loss of consciousness.

Recognition of when they first occur is the

most critical time for recovery.

Batten, C. (2008). Sports related concussion: traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), closed head injury (CHI)

Mitchko, J., Huitric, M., Sarmiento, K., Hayes, G., Pruzan, M. & Sawyer, R. (2007). CDC’s approach to educating coaches about sports-related concussions. American Journal of Health Education, 38(2), 99-103.