Concussions and the High School Football Player

I remember running down for the second-half kickoff against Desales High School during my freshman year. It was a crisp, late fall Saturday morning in the 1980's.  I remember colliding with an enormous DeSales player. Ouch.

 

The next thing I remember I was riding the bus back to school feeling confused. I felt like I was in a dream, but I had a strong headache. Everything seemed surreal. I have zero memory of the second half of the game although I played the entire second half. 

People were talking to me on the bus, but I could not completely comprehend what they were saying. 

I did not know it, but I had just experienced my first football concussion. I had one concussion as a boy when I fell hard and hit my head on ice. I really do not know how many concussions I have experienced in my lifetime. Somewhere between five and ten is my best guess-maybe more.  The symptoms were always the same-confusion, black out, headache and disorientation. 

I also do not remember ever telling a doctor, coach or parent about them. That was partly due to the confusion of the experience and partly since I was not really aware they were a problem.  It sounds a little ridiculous to say I now, but I just thought "I had my bell rung". Ding. Ding.  

I definitely never sat out a play-much less a game-due to a concussion. Only about 50% of high school football players ever report concussions to a coach or doctor (McCrea 2004).

I am not sure if I am still experiencing the effects of those concussions. 

Sports are second only to car accidents in producing traumatic brain injury in teenagers (Sosin 1991). 55,000 estimated concussions occur during high school football annually in the United States (Gessel 2007).  

Football produces far and away the most concussions of any high school sport with tackling or being tackled the highest risk activity. Linebackers have the highest concussion rates followed by running backs.

Awareness of the problem is increasing spurred by high-profile NFL cases, and the increased awareness is a great thing.  While no clear solution exists to this high-impact problem in this high-impact sport, some immediate steps can be taken:

1. Greater education of athletes and parents

Every high school team should conduct a pre-season educational and awareness seminar for players and parents.

This is probably the most important step.  I had no idea I was experiencing concussions during high school.  I also did not know the potential long-term problems associated with concussions.  Honestly, it probably would not have made a difference to me at the time since I was the typical indestructible (in my mind) teenager.

Both athletes and parents should be educated about the symptoms of concussions and remedial steps after a concussion occurs.  Athletes with concussions should not be permitted to return to the game in process.

If you are a parent or coach, please educate your players about the importance of reporting concussions.  Take appropriate steps to hold your child out of play when a concussion occurs.

2. More research directed to the long-term impact of multiple concussions 

While three may be the "magic number" for cumulative concussion impact, little remains known about the long-term effects of concussions on the brain.

3. Better protective equipment

Research may lead to better equipment and lessen concussion risk for young football players. Risk can likely never be eliminated however due to the nature of the sport.

REFERENCES

 

 

 

Posted Oct 19, 2010 by .
This entry is filed under football concussions, high school football concussions, treating high school football concussions, and football brain injury.