Intro
Sport related Concussion has become a growing concern in Australia and across the globe in recent years with potential negative health ramifications for athletes in the short and long term. Sports organisations in Australia and around the world have similar and contrasting policies which are implemented to best suit the respective athletes health and wellbeing.
So what is Concussion?
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head which causes the brain to move rapidly around the skull and can lead to chemical changes and damaged brain cells. Concussion can occur in a variety of ways, where some incidences may be more noticeable than others. In serious cases, concussions result in a loss of consciousness after
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a strike to the head and can also lead to neck pain, blurry vision and difficulty in concentrating. More minor cases of concussion can be less subtle with a small blow to the head causing headaches and emotional pain in the aftermath.
Concussions can be quite common in contact sports such as Rugby, Football and boxing in both professional and part-time recreational settings. This has led increased focus from sporting bodies around the importance of diagnosing and managing the condition safely and appropriately. Parents, coaches, athletes, medical practitioners and others involved in sport are seeking information regarding the best management of sport-related concussion. Participant safety and welfare is paramount when dealing with all concussion incidents. The following will discuss the current concussion protocols in Australian Sport organisation and how it matches with other concussion policies across the world.
NRL
Rugby League and the NRL is one of the major sports where concussion and serious head injuries are common. The physical and tough nature of the sport has led to serious injuries over the past few years. The most notable being Alex McKinnon, a player for the Newcastle knights who was paralysed after suffering two broken
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vertebrae in a professional game. Most cases in the NRL are much less serious however incidents of head knocks can be extremely common in the NRL today with roughly 5-7 concussions per team in a single season. Due to this the NRL has created a concussion test which must be followed before the player is allowed to return to play. The NRL is largely down to the medical staff making the decision rather than the player or coaching team. First the trainer is called onto the field to assess the player and whether they display symptoms of unconsciousness, dizziness or blurry vision. If it is unclear as to whether they have been concussed or not, the league refers to its “If in doubt, sit them out” policy. The player will then be escorted off the field by a trainer, who takes them to the team doctor. The Doctor reviews television footage of the incident and after watching the footage, the doctor will then conduct a neck examination and a test known as the SCAT3 - the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool. This test examines various parts of the brain and involves asking the patient several questions about the game and several physical tests. After the patient either passes or fails the test they will be advised on if they are permitted to return to the game. This is an extremely important process and even players who pass the test may be kept out of action for extra caution and for the safety of the athlete. Players who have suffered a concussion must not be allowed to return to play in the same game. The assessor should not be swayed by the opinion of the player, coaching staff or anyone else suggesting premature return to play for added safety towards the players wellbeing. A-League Football Federation Australia’s Concussion Protocols are listed as the following: Athletes with suspected concussion should be immediately removed from play, and should not be returned to activity until they are assessed by a qualified medical practitioner. Players with a suspected concussion should not be left alone and should not drive a motor vehicle. Only qualified medical practitioners should diagnose whether a concussion has occurred, or provide advice as to whether the player can return to play. The FFA has also advised that there should be no return to play on the same day of a concussive injury. While these guidelines may seem clear enough, on Australian footballs biggest stage the A-League Grand Final the policy was forfeited. Sydney FC star and Vice-Captain Alex Wilkinson was involved in a concussive collision between Melbourne Victory star Danny Vukovic. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch in what seemed to be a serious situation. Wilkinson was taken off the pitch, but surprisingly returned to action shortly after. This has led to outrage on social media and from onlookers who were concerned with Wilkinson’s health. Alex Wilkinson didn’t seem like himself for the rest of the game, looking slightly unfocused and even missing a crucial penalty in the shootout. It is clear from this situation, that the FFA and A-league concussion policies are much more lenient than others and that the importance of the game outweighed the players long term health problems, as Sydney FC were willing to take a risk to bring Wilkinson back into the game. Another reason this situation may have occurred is that the policy was not informed enough into the game, and that the players and staff have deemed it to be less important than the outcome of the game. Concussion protocols and procedures can be very different depending on the sport and the country. Huge sports such as American Football and Mixed Martial Arts have very specific procedures and guidelines which must be followed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their respective athletes. NFL The NFL are no strangers to head injuries, and are fully aware of the severity it may have on athlete’s health and wellbeing in the future. This has led to the league implementing protocols to address the diagnosis and management of concussions. In 2009 the league implemented the "NFL Game Day Concussion Protocol" which has been tweaked regularly in the last five years, including the introduction of disciplinary action in 2016 for teams that do not adhere properly. There are 5 steps to this protocol which has been clearly outlined by the NFL. 1. When a potential concussion is identified, the player shall be removed immediately from the field. 2. The NFL team Physician and the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant will: Review the video of the play and perform a focused neurological examination 3. Madden rule: If there is suspicion of concussion, the player is escorted to the locker room for full assessment. 4. If the player is diagnosed with a concussion, there is no same day return to play 5. If the player passes through the exam, they will be monitored for symptoms throughout the game. Medical symptoms to look out for are extremely similar to the NRL with the likes of consciousness, balance and disorientation being key signs. In addition to the in-game protocol, there is also a "Return-to-Participation Protocol" that players must abide by until they are deemed fully fit to return to play. During the 2016 offseason the NFL added a measure that would punish teams that failed to properly enforce the concussion protocols. Violations of either the game day or return to participation protocols would result in team fines and the forfeit of future draft picks. It is clear by these consequences that the NFL is far more strict on its regulations then the A-league. UFC/MMA The MMA and UFC are entirely different stories to the other sports mentioned when it comes to head injuries and concussions, for the simple fact that they are a big part of the sport and the nature of the sport demands the policies to be loose in order for it to be entertaining and successful. As of 2017, mixed martial artists including professional boxers will undergo testing before and possibly after fights to help determine if they have suffered neurological damage or deficiencies and whether they are fit to enter the ring. All fighters scheduled will undertake baseline testing on cognitive awareness and balance using the C3 protocol. It stands for Comprehensive Concussion Care and is a series of baseline tests and objective data which helps determine if the fighter is suffering from any long-term injuries and the level of risk they are at. Once into the fight, the medical team is only called when the fight is over, with only minor assistance during the end of rounds. Furthermore, the fight is not stopped for suspected head injuries, rather only for knockout concussions or when the fighter is backed up in a defenceless position. This differs tremendously from the other sports mentioned, as athletes may suffer concussion symptoms but are still allowed to proceed. Due to this, the UFC has implemented a 3month minimum waiting or recovery period with no contact until cleared by a professional doctor, to ensure the injury is not worsened. UFC president Dana White has said that his sport is the “safest in the world” when it comes to head injuries because they go "above and beyond" to protect the health and wellbeing of the fighter. White also compared the UFC to the NFL, and how a player can return within a week's time because, as White puts it, 'You can't lose Tom Brady for three months or else your entire season is wiped out.' The flexibility of the MMA and UFC schedule allows for more precaution towards the athletes. Conclusion Concussion Protocols can be extremely important in today’s day and age, with the amount of games being played and the demand for athletes to perform and satisfy sponsors and fans.
Each sport has its own specific requirements in terms of how they deal with concussion and can vary depending on different countries and settings. Rugby League and NFL while two completely different sports, share almost the same practices in terms of dealing with head injuries. The NFL however leads the line in terms of its enforcement of policies and procedures in which the NRL can implement into its own game; for example, team fines for infringement. Likewise, for the A-league, the FFA needs to either impose its rules with greater emphasis or alter the rules so that it is clear and consistent. The UFC has positioned itself tremendously for a sport of its nature, with the utmost care being taken for athlete’s wellbeing while still keeping the entertainment and success factor at high levels. Athletes are fully aware of the concussion protocols and the implications that follow which allow the UFC to be a leader in these practices. Overall the concussion protocols in Australia are greatly beneficial to athlete’s health and recovery, however need to be informed with greater emphasis and austerity in order to reach the best practice
globally.
For the safety of the players in the present and future, a stricter concussion protocol should be required at all levels of football. Though improvements have been made, the game of football is constantly changing and the protocol needs to keep up with the changes. Today’s athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster than ever before: "Size and physical conditioning techniques in sports at all levels have evolved to create an intense athlete. They 're able to create more force, power and speed than ever before and that leads to harder hits and a greater number of hits" (Neporent). These advances in training have led to a more dangerous sport. The protocol has improved in recent years along with an emphasis on player safety, but the increasing numbers of players with long-term effects of concussions show there is still work to be done.
Injuries are a huge part in professional sports. When playing a professional sport athletes do not always take into consideration that their bodies are vulnerable to injuries. One of the leading injuries that can end athlete’s career is concussion. According Kia Boriboon author of the article “Concussion Management In Football: Don 't Shake It Off” concussion occurs when the brain repeatedly collides with the skull. Concussions are serious and cannot be taken lightly they are detrimental to a person’s athletic career as well as life. Players who have suffered from a concussion or like symptoms of a concussion are at risk and should not continue playing their sport until cleared by a medical doctor, who is an expert in concussions. If concussions are not treated with the appropriate medical care, it can cause physical and mental health problems for athletes well after their professional career have ended. In
Concussions and the effect they have on people ranging from the young to the old has become a very popular discussion in recent years. Generally people watch sports for entertainment and then there are those who engage in high impact sports from a very young age on. The people at home know how fun playing in a sport is, however they may not know the brutal consequences for some participating in that sport. Injuries to the brain are a main concern among those in the world of high impact sports. Football, soccer, wrestling, lacrosse, and rugby are among sports that athletes receive injuries in. The injuries vary from sprains, to fractures, to torn MCL or ACL, and bruised organs. Concussions are a severe type of injury endured by athletes in the sports world and this life changing injury is one that people are becoming more aware of.
Even after the new standards, what do we do when a player gets one? That’s where the advancements in concussion detection and treatment come into play. According to the article “Advancements in Concussion Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment” the writer states “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 207,830 trips to an emergency room annually between 2001 and 2005 due to sports participation injuries” ( “Advancements in Concussion Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment | The Sport Journal” ). The report from the CDC shows how many reported sports injuries occur in a short period.
The number of concussions in professional and amateur football has been rising and has sparked much controversy in recent years. These concussions are most likely linked with disease and even the deaths of some pro and semi-pro football players. New research is attempting to solve the problem but the issue is still prevalent in football today.
This study showed that there was a significant difference in the amount of concussions between these two leagues. There were 69 teams consisting of 829 players from Calgary and Edmonton that participated in this research. Both of these areas allow body checking. The leagues that didn’t allow body checking were from Kelowna and Vancouver. There were 33 teams and 379 players from these two areas that participated in the study. This study classifies severe concussions as greater than ten days time loss from being eligible to participate in hockey. The research showed that there were 83 concussions and 53 severe concussions in the body checking league. However there were only 15 concussions and 10 severe concussions in the non-body checking leagues. The researchers suggest that there is a 60% lower risk of having a concussion or severe concussion in these non-elite Bantam teams when body checking is not allowed based on local
How can a concussion be prevented? What is the minimum time an athlete needs to be out of the game after a concussion? What are the chances of an athlete suffering post-traumatic stress disorders after a blow to the head? In all sports athletes are prone to injuries, they can happen at any time and at any given moment. Nevertheless, people that have suffered from a head injury or concussion will also have problems dealing with their learning processes in the long run.
A concussion is a temporary loss of normal brain function, and can be described in three different ways: mild, moderate, or severe (Schafer). The worse one’s concussion is, the more dangerous the effects of it are. People usually get a concussion when they are playing high intensity sports. There are other things that could cause a concussion. One might have been in a motor vehicle accident, or they could have done something as simple as falling and hitting their head. Every time a person receives a blow to the head they damage their brain. It is hard to tell how much damage one has done to their brain, because doctors cannot see it from the outside of their brain (Haas).
Since football’s inception, it has been considered a manly sport. Young boys have been encouraged by their parents to participate in the game. For many boys, it is considered a rite of passage. However, football is a dangerous sport. A study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy found, “an estimated 5.25 million football-related injuries among children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments between 1990 and 2007. The annual number of football-related injuries increased 27 percent during the 18-year study period, jumping from 274,094 in 1990 to 346,772 in 2007” (Nation 201). These reported injuries include sprains and strains, broken bones, cracked ribs, torn ligaments, and concussions. A concussion usually happens when a player takes a hard hit to the head or is knocked unconscious on the playing field, and if not diagnosed and treated quickly, a concussion can result in death.
Recreational athletes, competitive athletes, high school athletes, college athletes, and professional athletes all have one thing in common: the risk of a concussion. It's impossible to go a season without one athlete from a team receiving a concussion. The more that these concussions are studied, the more we learn about them, such as their detrimental effects on athletes. Because of the risk of health issues and death that come with concussions, doctors, coaches, athletic trainers, and lawmakers are stepping in to protect athletes of all levels from receiving concussions. Concussions occur time after time throughout different sporting events and many are familiar with the word concussion, but what really is a concussion?
An unnoticed fatal injury that countless athletes have experienced is a concussion. Many people have heard about concussions, but not about the underlying damage they cause the brain. A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that may occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. It can affect how the brain works for a whi...
High impact sports such as hockey and football are extremely dangerous. People who suffer from concussions can be affected by brain damage. Concussions are often called an "invisible injury", this is because you can not see the injury on the outside of the body. Side effects from a concussion can include; headaches, change in sleep patterns, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, depression, mood swings, memory loss, loss of concentration, and a slowed reaction time. (Virginia Board of Education Guidelines
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is played in a lot of different ways, fashions, and other countries. It can be a very brutal sport with players hitting at the intent to hurt one another. With these intents come great consequences. In recent years the head injuries involved with this brutal game play have been getting uncomfortably high. Many rules have had to be enforced for player safety, because of the increase of head injuries resulting in tragic effects on players both old and new. One of the injuries that have had the most devastating effects is the concussion.
Soccer players have a six inch shin guard that players use to protect their shins; other than that they have no form of protection. Soccer is a very physical sport, body to body, head to head, player verses player. Soccer players can end up with bruises, broken bones, sprained ankles, or even scratches. There is something worse that many soccer players receive while playing the game. In the article Soccer concussions: getting the facts, there was a study done in 2011 that stated that there was “92,505 concussions in high school soccer.” The same article states that two thirds of college athletes get concussions. There are things being done to protect players from concussions like new rules FIFA is trying to implement. There are only a few preventative
From the year 2001 to 1005 children aged 5-18 accounted for 2.4 million emergency room visits due to sports related injuries. Of these visits around 6 percent involved a concussion(The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Every athlete that receives a concussion does not necessarily go to the emergency room. Athletic trainers, when available and certified, can oversee the recovery of an athlete without a trip to the emergency room. Some concussions go untreated altogether. While the percentage may seem low, looki...