Post on 29-Dec-2015
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 Sports
O 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 enforced
O Stricter return to play guidelines
O 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 injury
O Look for concussion symptoms
O Ask relative questions to test memory
O Check vision and hearing
O 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 Concussions
O Proper Equipment Fitting
O Mouth Guards
O Proper tackling techniques taught
O Running with head up
Concussion Videos
http://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=fFkWT
GKNLT8O 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