Athletico Health Resources

Concussions are very common in sports, with an estimated 14.3% of high school athletes reporting to have sustained at least one concussion in the last year. Concussions are the result of an injury to the brain in which the brain moves and rotates inside the skull from a blow to the head. One study showed that among both groups, rates of concussions were highest in the sports of football and soccer. In high school sports played by both sexes, girls sustained a higher rate of concussions, and concussions represented a greater proportion of total injuries than boys. Often, after a concussion is sustained, an athlete is held out of sports until they are symptom-free to avoid further injury. What happens when that athlete is a student who needs to go to class, though?

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Approximately 3.8 million sport-related concussions occur every year in the United States. The CDC estimated that 5-10% of athletes will get a concussion in any given sports season. The majority of these concussions tend to take place during competition rather than practice. The risk of concussion tends to vary between genders and depends on the sport being played.

Concussions are caused by TBI’s (traumatic brain injuries), which occur when the brain is jostled inside the skull, causing trauma to the brain. Based on the definition it is unsurprising that there is a much higher risk of injury in contact sports than in non-contact sports. In fact, contact sports such as football, basketball, and soccer account for 45% of all emergency department visits for sports-related concussions among children 17 and under. According to a recent update from the CDC, the top 10 sports with the highest youth rates of concussion are:

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Contrary to belief, a concussion injury does not have to be sustained by a direct blow to the head. In 2014, falls were the leading cause of mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Falls accounted for 47% of all TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States in 2014. (CDC) Being struck by or against an object was the second leading cause of TBI, accounting for about 15% of TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S. in 2014. (CDC) Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes were the third leading cause of TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations, and deaths (14%) in the U.S. in 2014. (CDC) Approximately 1 in 4 mild traumatic brain injuries in adults occurred at work. (Terry, 2018)

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It is estimated that as many as 3,900,000 sports and activities-related concussions occur annually in the U.S. A concussion can occur from either a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth, either from a fall, a collision of players, or impact from the ground or other obstacles. Collision sports are at the highest risk for concussions, but any athletic activity remains a risk.

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Approximately 1 in 4 mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in adults occur at work and are associated with substantial productivity loss, economic burden, persistent symptoms, and occupational disability¹. Concussions in the workplace are most commonly caused by falls, getting struck in the head by falling objects, or motor vehicle accidents². Most adults recover from an mTBI or concussion within 7-10 days; however, individuals who continue to have persistent symptoms beyond this timeframe are more at risk for further co-morbidities, including aerobic deconditioning, chronic pain, anxiety disorder, depression, as well as poor work performance³.

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Concussions continue to be an aspect of athletics that players, parents and coaches need to address properly. One step that can be taken prior to the season that may assist with management of a concussion is having an athlete undergo baseline testing.

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Cheerleaders are commonly seen on the sidelines of school and professional sporting events, but the sport is no longer reserved for the sidelines. Cheerleaders have their own competitions where they are in the spotlight. Competitive cheerleading participation is on the rise with teams ranging in age from 5 years old through college.

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Concussions have gotten a lot of attention in recent years, mostly negative attention. It is true that in an ideal world, no one would suffer a concussion. However, life happens. Concussions are thought of as only occurring with a blow to the head which, in reality, is only one way that they can happen.

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