By: Christina L. Master, MD, FAAP
Playing sports is a great way for kids to stay active and have fun. But, with sports comes the occasional bump or bruise—and sometimes, a more serious injury like a concussion.
Here's what to know about sport-related concussions and reducing the risk for long-term problems.
How does a concussion happen?
Concussion, also called mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), can happen in any sport. But they occur more often in collision sports such as
football, rugby, and ice hockey. They are also common in other contact youth and high school sports including soccer,
lacrosse,
basketball,
hockey and
cheerleading.
Never ignore concussion symptoms: here's why
Every athlete needs to know how important it is to let their coach, athletic trainer or parent know if they hit their head or body and have concussion symptoms—even if it means stopping play.
Research shows that athletes who come out of a game or practice right after injury recover more quickly—and get back to the game sooner—than those who continue to play or practice with an injury. This is the case even if they don't get another hit or injury.
Teach your child to never ignore a head injury, no matter how minor it seems at the time. If they report one or more symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, keep them out of play and contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.
What are the signs & symptoms of a concussion?
Signs and symptoms of a concussion range from subtle to obvious. Typically, they start soon after the injury. However, some may take hours to a few days to develop. Symptoms of a concussion usually resolve in 4 weeks in most patients, but this can vary a lot.
With most concussions, athletes are not knocked out or unconscious. Symptoms of a concussion can sometimes be hard to recognize so heightened awareness is important. Athletes who have had concussions may even report feeling normal when they are close to, but not fully, recovered.
Concussion signs observed by parents or guardians
| Concussion symptoms reported by athlete
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Appears dazed or stunned Is confused about assignment or position Forgets an instruction Is unsure of game, score, or opponent Moves clumsily Answers questions slowly Loses consciousness (even briefly) Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes Can't recall events prior to hit or fall Can't recall events after hit or fall
| Headache or "pressure" in head Nausea or vomiting Balance problems or dizziness Double or blurry vision Sensitivity to light or noise Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy Concentration or memory problems Confusion Just not "feeling right" or "feeling down"
|
How are concussions treated?
Treatment for concussion starts with temporarily reducing and modifying physical and mental exertion for a few days, around 48 hours. After the first 48 hours after injury, a student with a concussion may gradually return to school with supports and adjustments as well as light physical activity.
They may need to be excused from or modify some physical education activities or recess activities to avoid the risk of another head injury. However, light aerobic activity, such as light to brisk walking or even jogging or running with breaks when concussion symptoms start to increase, is now recommended to improve recovery.
Emerging research shows that light activity that causes only mild worsening of concussion symptoms helps shorten recovery.
School attendance and workload may need to be modified. For example, classwork may need to be reduced, or non-essential work excused. A student may also need extended time for tests and assignments. Enlarged font, audiobooks or pre-printed class notes may also be needed temporarily during recovery after concussion.
Gradually, the athlete can gradually increase levels of low-risk aerobic physical activity. They should not return to any activities (practices, scrimmages, or games) that have any risk for a head injury until they are cleared by their physician.
Are there medicines to treat a concussion?
Your child's doctor may initially recommend acetaminophen to help ease headache pain from concussion. But over-the-counter medications in general should not be used for more than 1-2 weeks due to risk of medication-induced headaches. There are currently no medications or supplements proven safe or effective for treating a concussion or that boost recovery.
When can an athlete return to play after a concussion?
All athletes with suspected concussions should not
return to play in sports until concussion symptoms have resolved and they have completed a supervised, stepwise (gradual) return-to-play progression. A doctor experienced with concussion can follow up with your athlete through recovery to determine when it is OK for them to return full sports activities. This will require a written release to play from the appropriate health care provider in all U.S. states.
Can concussions be prevented?
Not all concussions can be prevented, but some may be avoided. Athletes should be taught safe playing techniques, wear proper safety gear like helmets and follow the rules of the game. Reducing time in contact practices can reduce potential for impact injuries like concussions.
Remember
The risk of concussions can be worrisome. But, all things considered, the dangers of physical inactivity surpass the dangers of playing a sport.
Aside from having fun and staying active, playing a sport can help your child develop leadership skills, self-confidence. It also teaches them teamwork and how to deal with success and failure. Kids who participate in sports are also more likely to establish
lifelong exercise habits, which are important for long-term health and wellness.
More information
About Dr. Master:
 Christina L. Master, MD, FAAP, is a Professor of Pediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and Co-Director of the Minds Matter Concussion Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Master is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Follow her on Twitter at
@drtinamaster.
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