CONCUSSIONS

BrainOn! Concussion Testing

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COMMON TERMS

Concussion (blow to the head causing the brain to bounce/twist within the skull)

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury (Mild - Serious)

Sub-Concussive Hits

CTE: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE BRAIN

HOW DO YOU GET A CONCUSSION

PLAYGROUNDS

FOOTBALL

SOCCER

CHEERLEADING

Youth Sports

Concussion: By the Numbers

•CDC estimates reveal that 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur each year•5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season•Fewer than 10% of sport related concussions involve a Loss of Consciousness (e.g., blacking out, seeing stars, etc.)•Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males (75% chance for concussion)•Soccer is the most common sport with concussion risk for females (50% chance for concussion)•78% of concussions occur during games (as opposed to practices)•Some studies suggest that females are twice as likely to sustain a concussion as males•Headache (85%) and Dizziness (70-80%) are most commonly reported symptoms immediately following concussions for injured athletes•Estimated 47% of athletes do not report feeling any symptoms after a concussive blow•A professional football player will receive an estimated 900 to 1500 blows to the head during a season•Impact speed of a professional boxers punch: 20mph•Impact speed of a football player tackling a stationary player: 25mph•Impact speed of a soccer ball being headed by a player: 70mph

Sports Concussion Institute

CONCUSSION FACTS

SYMPTOMS

HeadacheDizzinessConfusionMemory lossBlurred or double visionSeeing “stars”NauseaBalance problems

Change in balance, speed or movementNot paying attentionZoning out during gameLight sensitivityNoise sensitivityLoss of consciousness (rare < 10%)

PARTS OF THE BRAINFrontal Lobe: thought, reasoning, planning, emotions, problem solving

Parietal Lobe: perception of touch, pressure, temperature and pain; spatial processing

Temporal Lobe: memory, perception of hearing; language; recognition

Occipital Lobe: vision

Cerebellum: balance, coordination, timing

Cerebellum: balance

WHAT TO DO

Watch player after a hit to head

IF THERE ARE ANY SYMPTOMS, REMOVE FROM PLAY

Sideline Assessment--ask questions

WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT

Seek medical help if needed or if symptoms worsen

RECOVERYRest until symptom-free

NO stimulation: no TV, computer, videos, school work, or sports

Post-concussion testing

Do not hide symptoms

Second-Impact Syndrome

AVOID A SECOND BLOW TO THE HEAD

BACK TO SCHOOLCommunicate with teachers

Start with 1-2 classes or 1/2 day

WATCH OUT FOR:

Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noise

Decreased attention span; fatigue or distractions

Irritability, emotional, less able to cope

Inappropriate behavior

Inability to remember or learn new things

RETURN TO PLAYZurich Return to Play Guidelines

Stage Activity Objective

1. No activity Complete cognitive rest Recovery

2. Light aerobic exercise

Walk, swim, stationary bike

Increase heart rate

3. Sport-specific exercise

Moderate running in sport; no head impact activities

Add movement

4. Non-contact training drills

More complex drillsExercise, coordination, and use of brain

5. Full contact drillsFollowing medical clearance, normal training activitives

Restore confidence and assess functional skills

6. Return to play Normal game play

BrainOn!CONCUSSION

TESTING

REFERENCES

CDC - Center for Disease Control

Heads Up Concussions in Youth Sports

ImPACT Testing and Computerized Neurocognitive Assessment Tools

4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport. Zurich, 2013