Concussions

1. CONCUSSIONS
BrainOn! Concussion Testing

2. QuickTime™ and a
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3. COMMON TERMS
Concussion (blow to the head causing the brain to
bounce/twist within the skull)
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury (Mild - Serious)
Sub-Concussive Hits
CTE: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

4. WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE
BRAIN

5. HOW DO YOU GET A
CONCUSSION

6. PLAYGROUNDS

7. FOOTBALL

8. SOCCER

9. CHEERLEADING

10. Youth Sports

11. CONCUSSION FACTS
Concussion: By the Numbers
•CDC estimates reveal that 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur each year
•5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season
•Fewer than 10% of sport related concussions involve a Loss of Consciousness (e.g., blacking
out, seeing stars, etc.)
•Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males (75% chance for concussion)
•Soccer is the most common sport with concussion risk for females (50% chance for
concussion)
•78% of concussions occur during games (as opposed to practices)
•Some studies suggest that females are twice as likely to sustain a concussion as males
•Headache (85%) and Dizziness (70-80%) are most commonly reported symptoms immediately
following concussions for injured athletes
•Estimated 47% of athletes do not report feeling any symptoms after a concussive blow
•A professional football player will receive an estimated 900 to 1500 blows to the head during a
season
•Impact speed of a professional boxers punch: 20mph
•Impact speed of a football player tackling a stationary player: 25mph
•Impact speed of a soccer ball being headed by a player: 70mph
Sports Concussion Institute

12. SYMPTOMS
Headache
Dizziness
Confusion
Memory loss
Blurred or double vision
Seeing “stars”
Nausea
Balance problems
Change in balance,
speed or movement
Not paying attention
Zoning out during game
Light sensitivity
Noise sensitivity
Loss of consciousness
(rare < 10%)

13. reasoning, planning,
emotions, problem solving
Parietal Lobe: perception
of touch, pressure,
temperature and pain;
spatial processing
Temporal Lobe: memory,
perception of hearing;
language; recognition
Occipital Lobe: vision
Cerebellum: balance,
coordination, timing
PARTS OF THE BRAIN
Cerebellum: balance

14. WHAT TO DO
Watch player after a hit to head
IF THERE ARE ANY SYMPTOMS, REMOVE
FROM PLAY
Sideline Assessment--ask questions
WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM
OUT
Seek medical help if needed or if symptoms
worsen

15. NO stimulation: no TV,
computer, videos, school
work, or sports
Post-concussion testing
Do not hide symptoms
Second-Impact Syndrome
AVOID A SECOND
BLOW TO THE HEAD
RECOVERY

16. BACK TO SCHOOL
Communicate with teachers
Start with 1-2 classes or 1/2 day
WATCH OUT FOR:
Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noise
Decreased attention span; fatigue or distractions
Irritability, emotional, less able to cope
Inappropriate behavior
Inability to remember or learn new things

17. RETURN TO PLAY
Zurich Return to Play Guidelines
Zurich Return to Play Guidelines
Stage Activity Objective
1. No activity Complete cognitive rest Recovery
2. Light aerobic exercise Walk, swim, stationary bike Increase heart rate
3. Sport-specific exercise Moderate running in sport;
no head impact activities
Add movement
4. Non-contact training
drills
More complex drills Exercise, coordination, and use
of brain
5. Full contact drills
Following medical
clearance, normal training
activitives
Restore confidence and assess
functional skills
6. Return to play Normal game play

18. BrainOn!
CONCUSSION
TESTING
CONCUSSION
TESTING

19. REFERENCES
CDC - Center for Disease Control
Heads Up Concussions in Youth Sports
ImPACT Testing and Computerized
Neurocognitive Assessment Tools
4th International Conference on Concussion in
Sport. Zurich, 2013