Concussions in Sports: An informational guide for athletes

1. Concussions in Sports: An informational guide for athletes By: Michael Raletz

2. What is a Concussion? Brain Injury • An injury to the brain resulting from an impact to the head • Can be caused by a direct blow to the head or a jarring force

3. Epidemic in Sports • Coaches, trainers, parents, and even the athlete have trouble spotting concussion symptoms • Concussions are still slipping through and causing further injury and permanent damage.

4. Advancements in Sports • Enforcement on less helmet to helmet hits • Proper tackling techniques enforced • Stricter return to play guidelines • Improvements in equipment to prevent further injury

5. Concussion Symptoms • Headache • Blurred Vision • Ringing in Ears • Blacked Out

6. Concussion Symptoms(concussion) • Feeling foggy • Fatigue • Sensitivity to light • Nauseous

7. Concussion Symptoms(continued) • Amnesia • Depression • Loss of Balance • Trouble Concentrating • Dizziness • Seeing Stars • Change in Behavior • Trouble Sleeping

8. How to Spot a Concussion • Notice the mechanism of injury • Look for concussion symptoms • Ask relative questions to test memory • Check vision and hearing • ImPACT

9. ImPACT Concussion Test • ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) • Used to diagnose concussions and their severity • Stores patients normal scores and compares them to concussion scores

10. How to Prevent Concussions • Proper Equipment Fitting • Mouth Guards • Proper tackling techniques taught • Running with head up

11. Concussion Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkWTGKNLT8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqDyrTroXdY

12. Post Concussion Syndrome • Post-concussion syndrome can occur when an athlete comes back from a concussion injury to soon before fully healing, and suffers a second concussion • Can cause lingering effects such as prolonged symptoms and further damage

13. Second Impact Syndrome • Occurs from an athlete sustaining a concussion and then goes right back into play and taking a second blow to the head • A life threatening injury that causes a hypoxic need to the brain(suffocating the brain)

14. Return to Play • Athletes should not be cleared to play until fully cleared by athletic trainer or a physician • Should follow the Zurich Concussion Guidelines • Six step guideline, where each step takes 24 hours and no symptoms to complete • If set back occurs during anytime, they shall return to step one and work back up

15. Zurich: First Step • Concussion symptoms should be gone • No Activity should be done until so

16. Zurich: Second Step • After 24 hours symptom free of step one, light exercise should be prescribed. • Example-Light jog or elliptical workout • No symptoms should occur

17. Zurich: Third Step • After 24 hours symptom free of step two, sport related exercise should be prescribed. • Example- Soccer dribbling for soccer players • Example- Football catch and light rout-running for football receivers. • No symptoms should occur

18. Zurich: Fourth Step • After 24 hours symptom free from step three, non-contact training drills should be prescribed. • Example- Increased intensity footwork drills • No symptoms should occur

19. Zurich: Fifth Step • After 24 hour symptom free from step four, full contact practice should be allowed pending clearance • No symptoms should occur

20. Zurich: Sixth Step • If no set back occur from steps one through five, and is cleared to play, athlete may return to play

21. The End

22. References • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkWTGKNLT8 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqDyrTroXdY • Impacttest.com • Sterner, R. (2012). Interview by M Raletz [Personal Interview]. Lecture notes. Head Injuries, Rowan University. • Logan, K. (2010). Recognition and Management of Post-Concussion Syndrome. Athletic Therapy Today, 15(3), 4-7. • Impacttest.com