Concussions in high school sports
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is defined as 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. Blast injuries sustained in combat are a growing cause of TBI. According to the Missouri Information for Community Assessment (MICA) 2009 data, 15,238 Missourians were treated at an emergency department or were hospitalized due to a TBI. Many more people sustain a TBI but go undiagnosed and untreated. The MICA data does not reflect those undiagnosed, untreated, treated in a physician office, or treated by the military. The 2009 MICA data reveals that the leading causes of TBI in Missouri are falls, motor vehicle traffic crashes, and being struck by/against an object or person. Falls are the leading cause of TBI in children and for those over the age of 65. Motor vehicle crashes and struck by/against an object or person are the leading causes of TBI for those between the ages of 15 and 24. While TBI can affect men and women of all ages, males are about one and a half times more likely than females to sustain a TBI. The three age groups at highest risk for a TBI are 0-4 years, 15-24 years and 85 years and older.
http://health.mo.gov/living/families/shcn/pdf/TBIStatePlan2012-2017..PDF
The trauma of being in high school is enough pressure on a student to cause them significant stress. When considering the substantial amounts of drama teenagers are surrounded by, as well as school itself, one might believe this is the hardest time in life. Adding injury to the stress of everyday life can be very hard for a young person. The students’ parents, coaches, and other care-givers do their best to keep the students safe and enable them to have the best experience high school can offer. To succeed in this endeavor, the child’s safety is a priority. Those student athletes are a specific worry, as they are put at risk more often. One such risk of concern is the high rate of concussions among teens compared to other age groups. There should be specific consideration as to the prevention of concussions, as well as knowledge of how to manage such head injuries. A concussion is known to many as the possible result of a person being hit on the head. What takes place for a concussion to occur involves the human anatomy. Teens Health describes the anatomy head and states “the brain is made of soft tissue and is cushioned by spinal fluid. It is encased in the hard, protective skull” (Concussions 3). The brain floating inside the spinal fluid is able to move inside the skull. When it is forced in one direction or the other it can actually come into contact with the skull. Teen health continues to explain “this can lead to bruising of the brain, tearing of blood vessels, and injury to the nerves” (Concussions paragraph 3). Many teens make time to be active in extracurricular activities as well as throughout the community. These activities include a variety of sports which can be risky to the student’s safety. The dangers of playing sports do not necessarily outweigh the benefits of such activities, but they are definitely something to consider. Some sports at specific risk include basketball, cheerleading, soccer, and football. Football accounts for 45.8% of total reported head injuries for high schools in Missouri (MSHSAA 10). The Sports Concussion Institute states a concussion “can be caused either by a direct blow to the head, or an indirect blow to the body, causing neurological impairments that may resolve spontaneously” (Concussion Facts 1). The blow to the body causes a series of reactions in the brain which cause a variety of symptoms associated with disruption of the brain. Prevention efforts in high school athletics can start with high quality practice time for the sports in question. 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. Aside from proper learning of the game at hand, the best coaches and parents can to for the students is to educate themselves, as well as the athletes, on knowing the signs of a concussion, as well as being prepared to handle one. The CDC gives a list of possible signs to look for in the players after a jolt to the head or body. These include a dazed appearance, confusion, forgetfulness, lack of confidence in actions, clumsy, slower than normal, loss of consciousness, changes in mood, behavior, or personality, and inability to remember events prior to, or after the hit (Concussion Tool Kit 5). The student may report any of these signs as well as sensitivity to light or sound, double vision, a headache, or any abnormal feelings. If a student displays any of the symptoms described, they should be prevented from participating the rest of the day, and be seen by a health professional. With medical attention, proper care may be given to the student. Their parents should also be informed of the incident so they can also watch for signs of abnormality. Signs and symptoms can last from hours after the injury to months afterward. Recognizing the problem is the first step toward the solution. Coaches should educate themselves about concussions and also provide information for athletes, parents, and other faculty and staff members. The coaches should inquire about their players’ medical history, specifically if they have ever had a concussion before. The Sports Concussion Institute explains after getting one concussion “they are 1-2 times more likely to receive a second one. If they've had two concussions, then a third is 2-4 times more likely, and if they've had three concussions, then they are 3-9 times more likely to receive their fourth concussion” (Concussion Facts paragraph 7). Once having this information coaches should properly monitor those players who have a history of head injury. Parents and coaches need to express the importance of safety while at play. This also means the guidelines for safety equipment, such as helmets, must be followed. The importance of good sportsmanship should also be stressed to the teams. Those students who have been diagnosed with a concussion are likely to be frustrated, impatient, and angry about the situation. A concussed player could be sitting on the bench for weeks to months depending on when medical professionals clear them to play. It is imperative that they follow the instructions given by those professionals in order to properly recover. In some cases the stress of deep thought can also be difficult, causing greater frustration. The CDC explains, “After a concussion, physical and cognitive activities—such as concentrating and learning—should be carefully managed and monitored by a health care professional” (Concussion Tool Kit 7). Ultimately the brain is a vital organ which is also fragile when in an injured state. Once it has been damaged, without proper care, consequences can be severe. The risk for high school aged students is greater than that of older people, so it is important for parents and coaches to take the necessary precautions. Education is the first act of prevention for students as well as coaches, parents, and other faculty and staff. The importance of safety, sportsmanship, and use of equipment should be stressed to high school athletes. With the proper skills in recognition of signs of a head injury, as well as knowledge on the actions to take once a concussion has occurred, the safety of these players can be increased and they can continue to play the games they love.
Cites:
1. http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/high_school.html?mobile=nocontent 2. http://health.mo.gov/living/families/shcn/pdf/TBIStatePlan2012-2017.pdf
3. http://news.agrability.org/2014/03/MOMar.html
4. http://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/IYSBIPreventionReport_1213v2web.pdf
5. http://health.mo.gov/living/families/shcn/pdf/ConcussionManagement.pdf 6. http://mosportsmed.com/the-concussion-discussion?nomobile=1 7. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/basics/symptoms/con-20019272 8. http://m.kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/concussions.html 9. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Sports-Related-Concussion-Understanding-the-Risks-Signs-Symptoms.aspx 10. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00574 11. http://www.clearedtoplay.org/concussion-information/concussions-by-the-numbers 12. http://www.concussiontreatment.com/concussionfacts.html 13. http://jama.jamanetwork.com/Mobile/article.aspx?articleid=393493 14. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/parents-coaches-and-doctors-learn-ways-to-prevent-concussion-among-young-football-players 15. http://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/concussion-rates-high-school-sports 16. http://www.mffh.org/mm/files/county/schuylercountyprofile.pdf 17. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20019272 18. http://www.orthonc.com/concussion-clinic/tips-concussion-prevention 19. http://www.concussiontreatment.com/concussionfacts.html 20. http://www.clearedtoplay.org/concussion-information/concussions-by-the-numbers