Concussions in Youth Sports by Colin Dempsey and Ryan Janssen

01

Hillbrook Concussion Protocol

We made a Concussion protocol for Hillbrook school so we have rules for when there is a concussion.

02

About Concussions in Youth Sports

We can tell you why this is so important.

03

The Q collar

The Q collar is a a neck support product that prevents concussions.

04

Statistics

How many people actually get concussions from youth sports?

06

Interviews

We interviewed a few sports coaches on our topic to get their take.

08

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions.

Hillbrook School Concussion Protocol

Take out the player if:

  • If a player looks Dazed or confused after a hit to the head the coach must take out the player.

2. If a player feels nauseous after a hit, take him or her out of the game.

3. If there is major contact to the head then take the player out.

What to do if you have to take a player out due to a head injury

  • Make sure the player can trace your finger. Move your finger from left to right and up and down in a straight line. Make sure the player doesn’t move anything but their eyes. Make sure this doesn’t give the player a headache or worsen it.
  • Test a player’s neck strength to see if it is normal. Make them push their neck against the palm of your hand. If it hurts the player don’t let the player go back in the game.
  • If the player is feeling well after those two exercises they most likely don’t have a concussion. Make sure to have the player jog on the sideline before putting them in. If the player doesn’t have a headache after that then they can play.

If a player can’t come back in the game make sure the parent knows what the situation is. The player should see a doctor.

About Concussions in Youth Sports

Concussions are very common in youth sports. 6.8% of kids get concussions at some point. The CDC estimates the 1.6-3.8 million concussions are caused from sports. We are trying to change this by spreading awareness of the cause.

The Q Collar

Q collars help a players by giving them more neck support so that there head can not make any jerky motions.

Statistics

  • 3,800,000 concussions reported in 2012, double what was reported in 2002
  • 33% of all sports concussions happen at practice
  • 39% — the amount by which cumulative concussions are shown to increase catastrophic head injury leading to permanent neurologic disabilityy
  • 47% of all reported sports concussions occur during a high school football
  • 1 in 5 high school athletes will sustain a sports concussion during the season

Interveiw

Tim Downes

Tim Downes is the high school sports director who has experience with and in concussion.

We emailed coach Downes some questions and here are his awnsers

What are the long-term damages of concussions?

He said the main long-term damage of a concussion is CTE which can lead to memory loss

How can I prevent a Concussions?

He said the best way to prevent concussions is helmets and mouth guards but everyone should try the concussion protector

What is the best way to prevent a concussion?

He said the sport that causes the most concussions is soccer because the head is a main part of the sport

Marius Alahambra

Hillbrook middle school P.E. teacher

basketball coach with experience in concussions

What is a sympton of a concussion?

He said the worst symptom of a concussion is memory loss and vision problems that can happen in the future

Have your teammates ever got a concussion?

He said when he would play it would be a bad headache and they would not do anything.

What happens if play with a concussion?

He said there is chance nothing will happen except for having a concussion for longer.

FAQ’s

Frequently asked Questions about concussions in youth sports

Q: What are the main symptoms of concussion?

A: There are many different symptoms like Headaches, blackouts, fatigue, poor balance amnesia, disorientation, or mental confusion. Sleep disturbances or sleepiness nausea or vomiting, irritability, mild depression, ringing in the ears, or sensitivity to light.

Q: What should I do if I think I have a concussion?

A: Get medical attention and try to stay off screens. Stare at one object or wall so the brain does not have to adjust all the time.

Q:How long will my concussion symptoms last?

A: Depends on severity of the concussion and how many you have had. You should talk to your doctor about what the plan is to get back to school work or sports.

Sources

Tim Downs [email protected]

Marius Alahambra [email protected]

Statista

Buckfire Law

Contact Us

Colin Dempsey [email protected]

Ryan janssen [email protected]