New take on Youth Athletes and Concussions
Urgent Demand for Intervention in Football-Related Concussions
In today's sports landscape, concussions are increasingly common among young athletes in the United States. Over the past decade, the number of emergency room visits for concussions has doubled among both 8-13 year-olds and 14-19 year-olds. Shockingly, in 2012 alone, over 325,000 teens received treatment for concussions, translating to almost 40 per hour.
One direct or indirect blow to the head can have lasting consequences. Moreover, multiple impacts escalate the risk of severe head injuries, long-term neurological disabilities, and permanent brain damage. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that undetected or untreated concussions can be deadly.
To combat this issue, the CDC launched the "" project in 2003. In a decade, they distributed countless materials and trained over 1.5 million coaches online. Yet, questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures.
So, what is a concussion, exactly? A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by mechanical force or trauma, leading to alterations in brain function, including changes in mental status and consciousness. One-third of concussions occur during practice, with 1 in 5 high school athletes experiencing a concussion during the season. It's important to note that 9 out of 10 concussions do not involve loss of consciousness.
When discussing concussions, it's essential to understand their impact on the brain. The skull contains cerebrospinal fluid, which provides support and serves as a shock absorber in case of a blow. However, in a concussion, the brain moves too quickly inside the skull, potentially causing damage as it collides with the inner skull walls. This damage can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance, and muscle coordination.
Unfortunately, hazards linked to concussions have far-reaching consequences. Apart from a higher risk of subsequent unintentional injury and suicide, students with a history of concussions may face a tripling or quadrupling of these risks. In mouse studies, young women who experienced concussions were found to be more prone to alcohol abuse as adults.
Recovery from concussions is possible without intervention, but returning to play too soon increases the risk of permanent damage by 39%. The football field is a hotspot for concussions, with 47% of sports concussions taking place during high school football activities. Intriguingly, young women are most at risk when playing soccer, while cheerleaders face a relatively lower risk.
If a concussion is suspected, it's vital to remove the athlete from play immediately, keep them out for the rest of the day, and only allow them to return with clearance from a trained healthcare professional. Unfortunately, athletes often return to the field before they are fully recovered, often within 7-10 days, increasing the risk of serious damage.
Since 2009, efforts have been made to address this issue with the introduction of "Return-to-Play" laws that give athletes enough time to recover before putting themselves at further risk. These laws, which require concussion guidelines, educational programs, and informed consent, have been adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia. However, some experts believe they don't go far enough.
Dr. Paul Auerbach, a Stanford University School of Medicine professor, argues that the healing process may require at least 4-6 weeks, and athletes should be allowed to return to play only after a complete recovery. Furthermore, he suggests radical rule changes, such as banning direct opposition at the line of scrimmage, intentionally striking an opponent's body with the top part of the helmet, and limiting full-contact practice, to name a few.
Without escalated action, the decline in youth participation in football is imminent. Parents will become increasingly intolerant of these injuries, potentially dealing a significant blow to the sport. As Dr. Auerbach puts it: "If more safety rules are not made and enforced, we will continue to have the current rates of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. I expect that parents of youth players will be less tolerant of these injuries, so participation will decline."
In conclusion, concussions are a significant and multi-faceted concern for young athletes, affecting not only their physical well-being but also their cognitive and emotional health. With long-term complications ranging from cumulative vulnerability to brain trauma to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, proper prevention, management, and care are essential to promote the health and safety of young athletes.
- In 2012, over 325,000 teens in the United States received treatment for concussions, equating to nearly 40 per hour.
- A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by mechanical force or trauma, often leading to changes in mental status and consciousness, with one-third occurring during practice.
- Undetected or untreated concussions can be deadly, posing risks for long-term neurological disabilities and permanent brain damage.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the "Heads Up" initiative in 2003 to combat the increasing number of concussions in youth athletes, yet its effectiveness remains a question.
- Recovery from concussions is essential to prevent permanent damage, but athletes may return to play too soon, increasing the risk by 39%.
- Efforts to address concussions include "Return-to-Play" laws, educational programs, and informed consent, adopted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but some experts believe these measures don't go far enough.
- Without further action, the decline in youth participation in sports like football may occur due to parental intolerance of injuries, potentially impacting the future of the sport and the overall health and wellness of young athletes.
