Transcript Training

Management of
Concussion
For Coaches & Officials
In
High School Athletics
Michele C. Benz, ATC, LAT, CSCS, HFS
What is my role and what are my
responsibilities surrounding
concussion?
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Ensure safe participation of all
athletes.
Learn to recognize the signs and
symptoms (S/S) of concussion.
Remove any athlete showing S/S of
concussion from participation.
Know the new return to play (RTP)
guidelines established by the
National Federation of High School
Associations (NFHS), 2010 and
Zurich Conference, 2008.
Support concussion awareness and a
Second Impact Syndrome (SIS)
prevention program at your school.
What Is a Concussion?
BRAIN DAMAGE!!!!!
Bruised Brain
Bell Rung
Ding
Jacked Up
Facts About Concussion
1.2 Million Youth Concussions Per Year
50% FB Players Have Sustained A Concussion
35% Suffered Multiple Concussions
80% Symptoms Worsen Over Weeks
50% Return To Play Too Soon
70% Would RTP Concussed
41% Would Not Leave A Game
50 H.S. Football Players Have Died Since 97
“It’s not dangerous to play with a concussion,” said Kelby Jasmon,
a senior two-way player for his high school in Springfield, Ill., who has
had three concussions. “You’ve got to sacrifice for the sake of the team.
The only way I come out is on a stretcher.”
NFHS Rule Changes
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 4, 2010) — Effective with the 2010 high school football season,
any player who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors associated with a concussion must
be removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate
health-care professional.
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The previous rule directed officials to remove an athlete from play if “unconscious or
apparently unconscious.” The previous rule also allowed for return to play based on
written authorization by a medical doctor. Now, in the absence of a medical staff (ATC, MD)
officials are charged with removing any player who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors
consistent with a concussion, such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness,
confusion or balance problems, and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate
health-care professional.
How To Recognize Signs and
Symptoms of Concussion
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Athlete stumbles after getting up
Shakes head in attempt to “shake it off”
Goes to wrong huddle
Takes a knee or bent over in huddle
Vacant stare-eyes does not have focal point
Runs the wrong play-possibly more than once
Film Review
Complains or shows typical signs:
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Headache,
Bothered by light
Personality change
Eyes don’t focus or follow
Second Impact Syndrome (SIS)
Second concussion before previous concussion has
completely resolved
 Metabolic volcano within the brain
 High school athletes at great risk
 Catastrophic brain injury or death
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Second Impact Syndrome is
PREVENTABLE
Before & After SIS
Prevention
SIS PREVENTION PROGRAM
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Coaches must encourage athletes to report signs
Promote Baseline Testing
Concussion Awareness Videos
Helmets fit by the athletic trainer
Officials & Coaches need to recognize signs
Officials should make coaches and athletic trainers aware of
an athlete who looks concussed
Encourage rest until ALL signs resolve
Stop head first tackling
Second Impact is
PREVENTABLE
Your Role With Athletic
Concussions
RECOGNIZE
RESPONSIBILITY
PREVENTION OF SIS
AT RISK POSITIONS
REMOVE PLAYER
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
SIGNS
DON’T PRESSURE
EQUIPMENT FITTING
SYMPTOMS
DISCUSSION
RTP GUIDELINES
PREVIOUS INJURY
FOLLOW-UP
SIS PROGRAM
What To Expect
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Athlete removed from play
Sideline evaluation
Communication with ATC
Doctor referral
ImPACT post-injury test
Graduated RTP
Close observation after RTP
Fear from athlete/parent
Athletes need for confidence
Not the same intensity at first
Possibility of re-occurrence
Football is an incredible game.
Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable.
-Tom Landry
Teach Them How To Have FUN & Play Safe
I firmly believe that any man's
finest hour, the greatest
fulfillment of all that he holds
dear, is that moment when he
has worked his heart out in a
good cause and lies exhausted
on the field of battle victorious.
-Vince Lombardi
Play Tough, Play Hard, Play With Heart,
But Don’t Play With Concussion