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SportsConcussions.org's
latest concussion news:
Seahawks' Curry is NFL's first "test case" for concussion; treated by SportsConcussions.org's advisor Dr. Stan Herring

Florida officials wonder what  impact new national concussion rules will have on high schools

NFL players appreciate heightened concussion awareness

49ers guard Baas out with concussion during first contact practice

Medical experts believe NFL teams should limit intense hitting drills, not all coaches agree


Ask Dr. Gerard Gioia:
Childrens' National Medical Center, DC
My school district just implemented computerized neuropsychological "baseline" testing.  Do these tests work?        Answer

          
submit question


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

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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

Raise 7 for Matthew



Coaches play a vital role...


Baseball Practice

Every school district and private youth sports organization should have a sideline protocol for dealing with head injuries.  Once that has been developed, all sideline personnel should practice the procedure until it becomes second nature.  You don't want to have to think about what to do when facing a situation where time may not be on your side. Here are some examples of what to include in your sideline protocol:

What to do if your athlete is hurt...
 
1)  Remove the athlete from play immediately, and KEEP THEM OUT if any concussion symptoms are evident or if you suspect for any reason, that the athlete may have sustained a concussion.

2)  If you do not have access to an athletic trainer or other medical professional, assess the athlete using the Sideline Concussion Evaluation Tool or SCAT 2 and determine if emergency medical assistance is required.  If not, re-assess the athlete every 5-10 minutes for several hours after the injury.  Consider assigning a staff member to stay with the athlete at all times to look for signs of deterioration.

3)  Notify the athlete's parents that their child has suffered a possible concussion.  Make sure they know the
     signs/symptoms, and that their onset may be hours or days after the injury occurred.

4)  Have the athlete obtain a written return-to-play authorization from a qualified medical professional and assure that they are 100% symptom-free at rest and during exertion (see below) before allowing them to resume practice or play.

5)  Verify that the athlete is 100% symptom-free before allowing them to participate in any activity.  Coaches are
     sometimes the last to know.  Ask parents/teammates if they're aware of any lingering symptoms such as a headache.

6)  Institute a gradual return-to-play procedure after the athlete is medically cleared, and make sure they are
     symptom-free during exertion.  If symptoms return during exercise, their brain may not be fully healed.

Head U ConcussionsThe CDC's "Heads Up" campaign
offers free downladable information for:

            coaches                    schools

            parents                      athletes

Additional resources from the CDC

This information is provided for educational purposes only.  It is not a substitute for medical advice.


 


Youth Sports Concussion - Prevention, Diagnosis, News

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