Sports-Related Concussions & Subconcussive Injuries

Computerized neuropsycognitive testing for concussions has become increasingly popular in recent years and have been shown to have value in making the all-important return to play decision.

The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) and National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) have created a 12-minute educational video titled "Concussions in Hockey: Signs, Symptoms and Playing Safe" which is available for free download online.

Students with a concussion may have difficulty retaining new information and retrieving information when needed. To help a student remember better, here's a list of "Top 10" cognitive strategies for parents to give to teachers.

Wyoming's youth sports concussion safety law (Chapter 190) was signed into law by the governor on March 10, 2011. Unlike stronger concussion laws passed in other states, the Wyoming law does not, among other things, require removal of athletes from games or practices if they are suspected to have suffered a concussion, or require medical clearance before return to play.

A weak youth sports concussion safety law (Chapter 294) was signed into law by the governor of Idaho on April 11, 2010.

In March 2011, Utah governor Hebert signed the state's Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries Act into law requiring amateur youth sports organizations to adopt a concussion policy, provide the policy to parents, obtain their written consent before an athlete is allowed to participate, and establishing removal and return to play rules.

On March 22, 2011, Colorado governor signed the Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act. The law is the first in the country to extend coverage to athletes as young as age 11.  It not only covers public and private school athletes but those on private youth sports clubs as well.

On March 17, 2011, South Dakota became the tenth state to enact a strong youth sports concussion safety law requiring immediate removal from play of an athlete suspected of having suffered a concussion and requiring medical clearance before return to play.

MomsTeam Founder and Publisher, Brooke de Lench, talks about the difficult decision to pull a son with a history of multiple concussions and learning disabilities out of high school football and lacrosse, and says parents should have a right to expect when they entrust their children to a sports program that it will take reasonable precautions to protect them against harm. In other words, parents have a right to expect that the entire team to whom they entrust their children's safety — including the national governing body for the child's sport, the state association, the athletic or club director, the athletic trainer (if there is one), and especially the coaches - are part of the concussion solution, not part of the problem.

Football still has the highest number of concussions and concussion rate at the high school level, but concussion rates are also high in boys' hockey and lacrosse, and girls' soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, says the most recent study.