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SportsConcussions.org's
latest concussion news:
Bruins' Savard returns to the ice and a standing ovation after March concussion

Minnesota Wild Bouchard cleared to play Wed after March 2009 concussion, missed 112 games

NCAA hoops star Nored out with concussion after hitting opponent's head, may not make Duke this Sat

Alabama QB McElroy out with concussion in loss to Auburn, second head injury since Oct

Colts receiver Collie suffers another concussion on his first game back 2 weeks after the last one; doctors take his helmet

American Academy of Neurology: Concussed athletes should see a specialist before returning to play


Mayo Clinic Hockey Summit recommendations include ban on all hits to the head at all levels

Army identifies blood protein marker which may help identify brain injuries including concussions

 
What becomes of athletes who suffer concussions when young?


Scott Laker

Ask Dr. Scott Laker:
Seattle Sports Concussion Program

Why are girls more at risk for concussion than boys, statistically speaking?

  Dr. Laker's answer

 
submit question


NFL toughens stance on concussions, acknowledging long-term risks and life-changing potential
 

Recently released NFL helmet-impact test results should not be applied to collegiate, high school or youth helmets

NFL considers changes to camps and practices to limit concussions; concerned about sub-concussive hits

NCAA makes 3-man wedge illegal this year hoping to reduce concussions, same as NFL

Tennessee tightens concussion policies for coming school year

Study suggests athletes may need even more time after concussion to fully heal

NJ female teen athlete suffered 15 concussions now struggles daily

DC MLS star Namoff suspends career due to lingering symptoms from concussion suffered Sept 09

MLB All-Star players choosing reinforced helmets to reduce head injuries

Neuroplasticity: can our brains grow, change, and heal themselves at any age?

Emergency room visits for kids with head injuries increased 43% in the last five years

LaPorta passes neuropsychological test but doctors don't allow him to return to play

Indians LaPorta shows no sign of concussion after on-field collision and CT scan

High school softball adds concussion rule

Pro soccer player Twellman ends season due to symptoms from concussion suffered 2 years ago

Former Bengals receiver who died of unrelated causes showed signs of trauma-related brain damage at age 26

Pirates players collide leaving second baseman unconscious; out for series with concussion

Study shows most parents unaware of their local school's concussion policies

Six-yr-old sustains concussion attempting flip off diving board

Quebec bans bodychecking in youth hockey and reduces concussions significantly

Pro hockey player suffers post-concussion syndrome, symptoms originally confused with flu

Canadian amateur football association implements concussion rules to protect all amateur players

Neck muscle strength plays a role in concussion prevention

ESPN's  Preston Plevetes' concussion story, former La Salle football player

Zackery Lystedt inspired WA State's concussion law, the Lystedt Law

Eagles wide receiver felt pressured by asst coach to return after concussion last season

Concussion Basics
 

Air Force Academy basketball player plaqued by headaches since Nov. concussion, hopes new medication helps

Are headguards the answer for soccer players?  Some athletes and coaches in ME believe so


Head U Concussions





Certified Athletic Trainers are Expert Sports Medicine Practitioners

by John Heck, ATC, Connecticut College

When one hears the term sports medicine they often think of orthopedic surgeons. However, sports medicine is an umbrella term used to describe a collection of professions related to athletic health care. If one were to examine all the domains that sports medicine encompasses, they would soon find that Certified Athletic Trainers are the quintessential sports medicine providers, as their breadth of knowledge and practical skills best embodies the term, incorporating many aspects of the individual domains into one profession.

Athletic training is a paramedical profession practiced by highly skilled health care professionals called Certified Athletic Trainers. Certified Athletic Trainers collaborate with physicians to optimize patient and client activity and participation in athletics, work and life. The practice of athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination and diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, subacute, and chronic neuromusculoskeletal conditions and certain medical conditions in order to minimize subsequent impairments, functional limitations, disability, and societal limitations.

Certified Athletic Trainers must graduate from an accredited professional athletic training education program and pass a national certification exam administered by the independent Board of Certification to ensure they are proficient in hundreds of medical competencies. Additionally, while required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree, over 70% have earned master’s degrees. Certified Athletic Trainers are also required to complete 75 hours of continuing medical education every three years, and 39 of the 50 states require state licensure to practice.

Unfortunately, the title “athletic training” does not adequately represent the profession, and Certified Athletic Trainers are often confused with personal fitness trainers. This mistake is perpetuated by the common use of the term “trainer” rather than the proper, “athletic trainer.” Currently, athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health profession and is involved only in part with what one would describe as the training of athletes.

Certified athletic trainers working in a traditional athletics setting provide an extraordinary continuity of medical care, which is unique to the profession. Typically, when an athlete suffers an injury, the athletic trainer is on the sideline and observes the injury occur, then immediately performs a brief on-field examination to decide if, and how, to remove the athlete from the playing surface. If the player is not to be moved, the athletic trainer immediately enacts a previously prepared emergency action plan, and begins providing emergency care. If the athlete can be safely moved, a thorough off-field examination begins. Within minutes of the occurrence of injury, the non-emergently injured athlete has received two examinations, a diagnosis, and initial injury care. If the standard of care for the injury is beyond the scope of the athletic trainers’ practice, the athletic trainer will then refer the athlete to the appropriate professional. However, the majority of injuries are cared for by the athletic trainer from the initial injury through full resolution. Even those athletes that are referred to another health care professional for further evaluation or care are most often referred back to the athletic trainer, who coordinates and monitors the treatment plan for the injured athlete, for continued treatment.


Bio

John Heck is a Board of Certification Certified and State Licensed Athletic Trainer who currently practices at Connecticut College in New London, CT, providing sports medicine services for their intercollegiate athletics teams. Mr. Heck graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the professional athletic training education program at the Pennsylvania State University, and has also earned a Master of Science in health and physical education from the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He also holds additional certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Emergency Medical Technician.

Patrick Olsen

Certified Athletic Trainer
Patrick Olsen, MS,ATC,AT/L

attends to a South Kitsap High School (WA) athlete before a game. Patrick is Head of Athletic Medicine at the school which has won numerous national awards for its sports medicine program
 
 

Youth Sports Concussion - Prevention, Diagnosis, News

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