Concussion in Youth Sports

5 FACTS ABOUT CONCUSSION IN YOUTH SPORTS

1. Most people with a concussion will have a normal head CT, MRI, or X-ray.

2. You do not need to hit your head to sustain a concussion.

3. You do not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion.

4. About 15% or 2.5 million high school students report having had a concussion from sports or other recreational activity in the last 12 months. 6% reported 2 or more concussions.

5. Because children’s brains are lighter and have less developed nerve cell coverings, they are more susceptible to concussions.

KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION

Signs

• Appears dazed

• Is confused about event

• Answers questions slowly

• Cannot recall events prior to or after the hit

• May lose consciousness

• Shows behavior or personality changes

•  

Symptoms

• Headache or “pressure” in head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Balance problems or dizziness

• Blurry vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Feeling sluggish, foggy, or groggy

• Difficulty concentrating or remembering

• Just not ‘feeling right” or “feeling down”

DANGER SIGNS OF A CONCUSSION

Seek immediate emergency medical attention if your athlete exhibits any of these signs or symptoms

• One pupil larger than the other

• Excessive drowsiness

• Worsening headache

• Slurred speech, numbness, weakness

• Decreased coordination

• Excessive vomiting

• Seizures

• Increased confusion, agitation

• Loss of consciousness

CDC HEADS UP CONCUSSION ACTION PLAN

If an athlete suffers a concussion,

Step 1: Remove athlete from play

Step 2: Inform athlete’s parents or guardians

Step 3: Ensure athlete is evaluated by healthcare provider

Step 4: Ask for written instructions from healthcare provider concerning return to play

RETURN TO PLAY STEPS

After the athlete has been seen by a healthcare provider and has been given the go-ahead to return to play, these guidelines should be followed in addition to any specific written instructions from the provider.

Step 1:  Back to regular activities (school)

Step 2:  Light activity

Step 3:  Moderate activity

Step 4:  Heavy, non-contact activity

Step 5:  Practice & full contact

Step 6:  Competition

An athlete’s return to play is a stepwise process. It starts with 2-3 days of rest and is followed by regular activities. The athlete should spend at least 24 hours at each step. It may take days, weeks, or even months to complete the steps. If there is recurrence of concussion symptoms, the athlete should return to the previous step.

WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT

For more information on the CDC Heads Up guidelines

https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html