Concussions in Sports: An informational guide for athletes By: - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Concussions in Sports:

An informational guide for athletes

By: Michael Raletz

What is a Concussion?

O An injury to the brain

resulting from an impact to the head

O Can be caused by a

direct blow to the head or a jarring force

Brain Injury

Epidemic in Sports

O Coaches, trainers, parents, and even the

athlete have trouble spotting concussion symptoms

O Concussions are still slipping through and

causing further injury and permanent damage.

Advancements in Sports

O Enforcement on less helmet to helmet hits O Proper tackling techniques enforced O Stricter return to play guidelines O Improvements in equipment to prevent

further injury

Concussion Symptoms

O Headache O Blurred Vision O Ringing in Ears O Blacked Out

Concussion Symptoms (concussion)

O Feeling foggy O Fatigue O Sensitivity to light O Nauseous

Concussion Symptoms (continued)

O Amnesia O Depression O Loss of Balance O Trouble

Concentrating

O Dizziness O Seeing Stars O Change in Behavior O Trouble Sleeping

How to Spot a Concussion

O Notice the mechanism of injury O Look for concussion symptoms O Ask relative questions to test memory O Check vision and hearing O ImPACT

ImPACT Concussion Test

O ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion

Assessment and Cognitive Testing)

O Used to diagnose concussions and their

severity

O Stores patients normal scores and

compares them to concussion scores

How to Prevent Concussions

O Proper Equipment Fitting O Mouth Guards O Proper tackling techniques taught O Running with head up

Concussion Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkWTGKN LT8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqDyrTr

• XdY

Post Concussion Syndrome

O Post-concussion syndrome can occur when

an athlete comes back from a concussion injury to soon before fully healing, and suffers a second concussion

O Can cause lingering effects such as

prolonged symptoms and further damage

Second Impact Syndrome

O Occurs from an athlete sustaining a

concussion and then goes right back into play and taking a second blow to the head

O A life threatening injury that causes a

hypoxic need to the brain(suffocating the brain)

Return to Play

O Athletes should not be cleared to play until

fully cleared by athletic trainer or a physician

O Should follow the Zurich Concussion

Guidelines

O Six step guideline, where each step takes 24

hours and no symptoms to complete

O If set back occurs during anytime, they shall

return to step one and work back up

Zurich: First Step

O Concussion symptoms should be gone O No Activity should be done until so

Zurich: Second Step

O After 24 hours symptom free of step one,

light exercise should be prescribed.

O Example-Light jog or elliptical workout

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Third Step

O After 24 hours symptom free of step two,

sport related exercise should be prescribed.

O Example- Soccer dribbling for soccer players O Example- Football catch and light rout-

running for football receivers.

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Fourth Step

O After 24 hours symptom free from step

three, non-contact training drills should be prescribed.

O Example- Increased intensity footwork drills

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Fifth Step

O After 24 hour symptom free from step four,

full contact practice should be allowed pending clearance

O No symptoms should occur

Zurich: Sixth Step

O If no set back occur from steps one through

five, and is cleared to play, athlete may return to play

The End

References

O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkWTGKNLT

8

O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqDyrTroXdY O Impacttest.com O Sterner, R. (2012). Interview by M Raletz

[Personal Interview]. Lecture notes. Head Injuries, Rowan University.

O Logan, K. (2010). Recognition and Management

• f Post-Concussion Syndrome. Athletic Therapy

Today, 15(3), 4-7.

O Impacttest.com