How Common Are Concussions in Sports? What Athletes and Parents Should Know

Youth sports are a great addition to any child’s life. However, with physical activity comes risk. Most notably? Concussions. For parents and coaches, it’s vital to understand how this injury could affect children and how to properly address it.

What Causes a Concussion?

A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a serious injury that affects the brain. It typically occurs when an impact, whether it’s a bump or jolt, causes the brain to move violently inside the skull. You don’t have to experience a direct hit to the head to have a concussion. A moderate blow to the body can be enough to cause an individual to be concussed if it causes the head to jerk suddenly.

How Common Are Concussions?

Concussions are very common, with 3.8 million occurring each year in the U.S. due to sports-related injuries. For young athletes, the risk for a concussion is even higher, with girls four times more likely than boys to get concussed. Once diagnosed with a concussion, the chance of getting another one also increases. For instance, someone who’s had three concussions is three to nine times more likely to receive a fourth.

Recognizing the Signs

Symptoms of a concussion can vary and may develop over minutes or hours following a head injury. Physical symptoms can manifest in the form of blurred vision, headaches, loss of balance, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. It also affects emotional and cognitive abilities. An individual may experience more anxiety, sadness, difficulty concentrating, or feel slowed down.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion may appear minor or might not present themselves at all. Therefore, parents and coaches need to seek medical attention for young athletes as soon as possible after a hit. The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6) is a trusted tool for non-medically trained individuals to identify and manage a suspected concussion. Although it’s not designed to be used to diagnose a concussion, there is value to its usage.

Steps for Proper Recovery

Any young athlete with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from practice or play. Even if their symptoms seem to resolve, it’s still recommended that they refrain from any activity until properly assessed by a medical professional. Until then, the athlete should remain under adult supervision (at least for the first three hours). If symptoms worsen, immediate medical attention is required.

After the initial few hours, long-term recovery can vary by person. Most professionals believe concussion symptoms persist for about four weeks. During this time, rest should be prioritized. Children should refrain from physical activities unless they’ve been cleared by their healthcare provider. Other activities, such as screen time and schoolwork, may also have to be limited at first.

Prevention and Safer Play

As intimidating as concussions can seem, they don’t have to be inevitable. There are preventative measures to better protect these growing brains. The most accessible way is by following the safety guidelines set by sports leagues or committees. For instance, some youth soccer teams don’t allow heading, while football teams will have reduced contact drills during practice.

Quality gear is an effective measure in ensuring safer play in youth sports. Protective gear should match the child’s size and fit comfortably. If you’re unsure about the fit, contact the child’s coach or look online for what’s recommended. Proper fit and safety should be the priority, even when looking at options like shin guards, padding, or hockey sticks for sale.

Teaching children proper techniques is also vital. Coaches should dedicate time during practice on how to fall or absorb contact to limit any impact to the head. For contact sports, youth athletes should learn how to tackle or check safely to protect themselves and their teammates. Any improper or risky behavior should be corrected immediately.

Concussions are a reality for many in sports, no matter the age. With young athletes, it’s critical to spot and address the injury. By assessing properly, treating symptoms, and teaching preventative measures, parents and coaches can better protect children.