{"id":2230,"date":"2013-10-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-10-24T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webinology.website\/nation2021\/preventing-concussions-parents-and-coaches-share-responsibility\/"},"modified":"2013-10-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-10-24T04:00:00","slug":"preventing-concussions-parents-and-coaches-share-responsibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coachup.com\/nation\/articles\/preventing-concussions-parents-and-coaches-share-responsibility","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Concussions: Parents and Coaches Share Responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

The risk of suffering from brain trauma exists not only at the professional level, but also for young kids across most sports.  Early education and a shift in the \u201ctough it out\u201d mentality is needed in order to reduce the frequency of concussions in young athletes, as well as, reduce the number of concussions that go undiagnosed. Parents and coaches<\/a> have to raise the bar and set the standard that the athlete\u2019s health is first priority.<\/p>\n

Suffering from a concussion can occur in any sport, and at all levels of play, from little league to the major leagues.  The US Center for Disease Control estimates 1.6 million to 3.8 million <\/a>concussions occur in sports and recreational activities each year. The recent NFL players lawsuit and Frontline\u2019s \u201cLeague of Denial\u201d have helped raise mainstream awareness of concussion safety. We now have clear proof, as well as, a court precedent acknowledging that concussions are a threatening injury that can compromise an athlete\u2019s future health and quality of life.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve learned that the result of multiple concussions and repetitive brain trauma can be severe and could manifest into the brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative disease that causes changes in the brain which can begin months, years, even decades after the last brain trauma.  According to the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy<\/a> (BU CSTE), the leading research program studying CTE, this disease can cause memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, even dementia.<\/p>\n

A concussion is type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur in both contact and non-contact sports. A concussion<\/a> is a bump, jolt or blow to either the head or body that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth, and or twist within the skull.<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/a><\/p>\n

Chris Nowinski<\/strong>
Source: AthleticBusiness.com<\/p>\n

Chris Nowinski is the director of the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the sports concussion crisis through education, policy, and research.  He is also co-director of the BU CSTE.  Nowinski<\/strong> points out that the danger for young athletes who have suffered a concussion is their inability to recognize, and articulate, the symptoms they experience to an adult.  \u201c(Concussions are) thought to be more damaging in the younger brain; although every concussion is different.  The additional risk with children is that they may not recognize the injury themselves and may not report the symptoms.  We have to be especially careful with children before high school, before they are physically and cognitively mature.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the Positive Coaching Alliance,<\/a> approximately 65-80% of initial concussions go unrecognized. As to the correlation between the number of concussions sustained and CTE,  Nowinski notes, \u201cThere is no number of concussions that correlates with any jump (in chances of experiencing CTE) which is why we have to follow the same process of making sure the athlete is seeing an experienced doctor after any trauma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inundated with bits of information from all angles and outlets regarding the dangers of concussions, a parent can be left wondering; are youth sports safe for children?  The answer is, yes.  As with any sports or recreational activity, there is a risk for injury.  The degree of safety depends on a coach\u2019s training philosophy and their experience with concussion prevention and awareness.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Reebok Checklight<\/p>\n

Isaiah Kacyvenski is a former NFL player who has been diagnosed with 7 concussions.  He is also a Board member at the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI)<\/a>, non-profit organization dedicated to solving the sports concussion crisis through education, and the lead advisor to MC10<\/a>.  Kacyvenski worked with MC10 to create Checklight with Reebok<\/a>, a sports and activity impact monitor for the head to help improve recognition of trauma.  On the state of youth sports safety,  Kacyvenski acknowledges there is room for improvement,\u201cWhen you look at the kaleidoscope of sports, football to ice hockey, soccer to basketball, there\u2019s a level of physicality and play that can place an athlete in harms way.  I think that youth sports can and should be played safely.  Right now they aren\u2019t always though.\u201d  In order to reduce the chances of a head injury it is critical to play the game with an emphasis on legal moves and reinforce ongoing concussion awareness and prevention.<\/p>\n

\"Isaiah<\/a><\/p>\n

Isaiah Kacyvenski<\/strong>
Source: Michael Conroy, AP[\/caption]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coaches<\/a> and parents have primary responsibility to push education around safety and concussion prevention. For coaches, concussion education must start on the first day of practice and continue through each season.  For parents,  it starts right when a child expresses interest in sports, and recreational activities, long before the first day of practice ever comes around. The days of passive parenting are gone; parents must take an active role in starting and continuing sports safety education with their child.  With ongoing education comes not only awareness, but a shift in behavior.  For all parties involved, athletes, coaches and parents, recalling concussion symptoms must be second nature so subtle symptoms get immediate medical attention.<\/p>\n

Parents and coaches should be aware of subtle concussion symptoms.  These occur when an athlete:<\/p>\n