High-Impact Sports Related Injuries: Concussions

A traumatic brain injury, or concussion, is an unfortunate and common side effect of high-contact sports, affecting professional, amateur and high school athletes. During last week's NFL match-ups Michael Vick of Philadelphia Eagles and Mario Manningham of New York Giants suffered concussions and have undergone numerous tests to determine their present condition for physical activity. Research has found that repeated head trauma can lead to brain damage with short and long-term effects. According to the Center for Disease Control, 3.8 million sports-and recreation-related concussions occur every year. Over 60,000 concussions occur among high-school-age students, the highest percentage happening on the football field. There is no way to definitely prevent sports-related concussions, however, athletes, parents and coaches need to be aware of current symptoms and treatment methods available.

Causes and Symptoms

A concussion is caused by a sudden blow or strike to the head, resulting in the brain being jostled. Often seen in high-contact sports such as football or soccer, vehicle collisions and recreational activities can also cause concussions. Traumatic brain injuries may cause bruising, damage to blood vessels and nerve injury. Signs of a concussion include feeling dazed, slurred speech, headaches, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision and memory loss. Visit the Center for Disease Control website for a complete listing of symptoms. There are different grades of concussions: Mild (1), Moderate (2), Severe (3). The concussion grade is based upon how long the symptoms last and whether the athlete has lost consciousness.

Long-Term Effects

A concussion can cause short and long-term effects include thinking, sensations , language and emotion. Victims may experience personality changes, aggression or acting out and anxiety. Recent studies by the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University have retired professional football players who suffered multiple concussions with clinical depression. Concussions can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Treatment

Recovery time for a concussion depends on the severity and the overall health of the athlete. Research has proven that children take longer to heal than adults. SportsConcussions.org list 3 main issues when assessing concussion recovery.

• recovery from symptoms
• recovery of brain function
• recovery of balance and motor tasks

Recovery can last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks and the most important prescription is rest. An injured brain needs plenty of rest to complete the healing process. Cognitive activity should be limited which reading, TV, texting and computer usage as well as physical activity. A second head trauma during recovery could be detrimental and result in a serious setback. In 2010, the University of Michigan's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation developed a simple reaction time test to determine if an athlete's injury is severe enough to require time off. The University of Pittsburgh's Sports Medicine Center developed a computer program designed to measure an athlete's memory, reaction time and processing speed. Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing system (ImPACT) measures the baseline of a player at the beginning of the season. The test is administered after a head injury to determine safe return to sports activity. ImPACT is currently used by many high schools, colleges, the National Football League and the National Hockey League.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no preventative method to keep concussions from happening in high-impact sports. The Center for Disease Control urges parents, coaches and athletes to stay educated on the signs and treatment of concussions. Have an action plan ready for in case a concussion occurs. Legislation in many states have made head trauma education mandatory. In 2011, Texas passed Natasha's Law regarding concussion requirements in high schools. The law is named after Natasha Helmick, a strong advocate for concussion legislation aster suffering 5 concussions. The law requires:

• education of coaches, parents, athletes
• removal from play of any athlete suspected of having sustained a concussion
• requires written authorization from a medical professional before the athlete can return to practice/game

The National Football League mandates a third party neurologist clear all players before returning to practice and games. Riddell has developed a computer designed helmet, the 360 Helmet with features technology specifically designed to reduce the risk of concussions. This helmet is available to all players including high school and college. Micheal Vick will be wearing a helmet of this type in Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Hopefully, he can scramble away from a rushing defense and prevent another concussion. Even though Vick's recovery was a quick one, Mario Manningham is yet to be cleared to play.

Concussion Recovery is Unpredictable, SportsConcussions.com
Facts about Concussion and Brain Injury, CDC.gov
State Concussion Laws, SportsConcussions.com