Todd NelsonAssistant Director, NYSPHSAA

NYSPHSAA Concussion Initiative

Dennis FriesConcussion

Management Coordinator

Lloyd Mott, Asst Director

Safety Committee ChairSenator Kemp Hannon

NYS Senate Health Committee

NYSPHSAA Concussion TeamNYSPHSAA Safety Committee ChairNYSAAA RepresentativePhysiciansPsychologists & NeuropsychologistsAthletic TrainersAthletic DirectorsParent

Section CMT formed

Principles of Concussion Management

Avoid re-injury until recovered

Avoid over-exertion during recovery

Early education and reassurance improves outcome

Return to school gradually with accommodations as needed

Return to play must follow a medically supervised process

Zurich 2008 Guidelines

No grading of injury Treat every

concussion seriously Recovery may take

longer in children and adolescents

3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport

FIFA IOC IIHF

Zurich Return to Play GuidelinesAny athlete who show ANY symptoms or

signs of a concussion: Athlete should not return-to-play in the

current game or practice Athlete should be monitored for

deterioration for 24 hours return-to-play must follow a medically

supervised stepwise process athlete must be symptom-free at rest

and after exertion

Medical Protocol Any athlete who suffers a concussion

should undergo medical evaluation within 24 hours

Anyone with LOC should be evaluated that day

If confused or not fully conscious, transport by EMS with immobilization

Follow athlete until asymptomatic First medical clearance is to begin RTP

progression If no return of symptoms with exertion,

then final clearance for game play

Zurich Return to Play Progression1. No activity, complete rest

2. Light aerobic exercise but no resistance training

3. Sport specific exercise and progressive addition of resistance training

4. Non-contact training drills

5. Full contact training and scrimmage after medical clearance

6. Game play

Also should be symptom-free after mental exertion and have normal neruocognitive test results

NYSPHSAA Concussion Initiative$145K in 3 phases over 3 years

Presentations at athletic director meetings in all 11 sections

Webcast, DVD, and website

CME credit for school physicians

List of identified resources state-wide

Partnership with ImPACT – 220 member schools Dick’s Sporting Goods – FREE base line testing

Concussion team in every section & every school

Sideline cards – distributed to all schools

NYSPHSAA Resources

NYSPHSAA Sample Concussion PolicyModeled on policies, procedures, and protocols

already in use in some schoolsApproved by NYSPHSAA Executive, available

on website Concussion Checklist

Completed by coach or trainer on the sidelineFollows athlete until cleared to RTPReviewed by school ATC and MD after

clearanceImproves communication and helps enforce

policy

Other Resources

Free Educational Materials

CDC Heads up in High School Sports kitsNFHS – Concussion Management Course CDC web based training video for coaches SED Required First Aid for Coaches outlineNCAA web-based education videoSUNY Upstate Concussion in the Classroom

video and brochure on-line

Lessons LearnedCoaches and athletic directors will

attend . . . if requiredAthletic trainers and school nurses are

good advocatesParents rely on advice of physiciansPrimary complaint from trainers and

nurses is lack of knowledge among physicians

Little awareness of academic consequences

National Federation of High Schools

Concussion Guidelines 2010 - 2011

Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional

Concussion Management Awareness Act – July 1, 2012

NYSPHSAA met with many legislators on potential Bills.

Fully supports the Bill passed by both the Senate and Assembly

NYSPHSAA named as a stakeholder in the Law

Steps to Success Form a school Concussion Team to oversee

education and protocols

Educate athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, administrators and school health professionals including the medical officer

Develop and implement a concussion management policy and protocol (use of concussion checklist recommended)

Consider other steps such as hiring an athletic trainer or using a computerized testing program

Summary NFHS, CDC, NYSPHSAA and NYS legislature

now recognize sports concussion as a significant health concern

Proper recognition and management of concussion can prevent serious problems

Athletes must avoid re-injury and over-exertion until recovered

Every school should have a concussion management policy and a concussion management team

It’s the right thing to do !

Contact information

Todd Nelson, Assistant Director

Email: tnelson@nysphsaa.org

Phone: (518) 690 - 0771