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 NOVEMBER 30, 2007 Tips About Concussion for Student Athletes and Their Parents Most school districts and athletic organizations have procedures in place to help determine when a student athlete can return to play after a blow to the head, but it seems that the players are not aware of these guidelines. A new survey of 305 Los Angeles high school athletes about their understanding of concussion has some eye-opening results: --More than half of the players reported a harder-than-usual hit to the head during games and practice. --About 4 out of 10 reported returning to play in a game or practice even though deep down they knew they shouldn't have returned. --7 out of 10 players didn't know their school had a policy about returning to play after a head injury. --Nearly half of the players didn't know they had to be cleared by a physician after being "knocked out" and one-third believed they were okay to return to play in the same game. --About half believed they could play or practice with a slight headache from a previous hit to the head. This dangerous practice could lead to a second more damaging concussion. Nancy Manasse-Cohick, PhD at California State University Los Angeles, who led the research, says student athletes and their parents need to know the minimal signs or symptoms of concussion: headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, poor concentration, forgetfulness, and blurred vision. You do not have to "black-out" (lose consciousness) to have a concussion. Athletes need to listen to their gut -- if they don't think they should be playing, they are probably right. They should tell their coach or trainer right away, and not play. Not all concussions cause a serious injury, she said, but every concussion should be taken seriously. |
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