As a former high school and college athlete and long-time advocate and professional diagnosing and treating individuals with varying degrees of traumatic brain injury (e.g., post-concussion), the time is right to further educate the public with regard to sports concussion. While sports concussion has been a chronic problem ranging from youth to professional sports, only recently has it gained such notoriety in the public media as well as through formal legislation. ESPN has aired segments on sports concussion over the course of many years. Articles on sports concussion have been written in sports-related magazines, sports sections of newspapers, as well as numerous medical journals. While sports concussion is not new, it has been quite apparent over the years that many people have “turned their heads” when discussing or making decisions about sports concussion or the possible consequences of a star athlete being restricted to return to play. Undoubtedly, this is the wrong approach; sports concussion is something that is more prevalent now than ever, possibly due to increased awareness and understanding of the potential adverse effects from concussion. Many years ago, the undersigned had authored a journal article entitled “Major Consequences of Minor Brain Injury”. While that article did not specifically discuss sports concussion, it did list the potential problems associated with concussion (minor brain injury) especially if an individual was not diagnosed or treated for such injury. The potential cumulative effects of multiple concussions over time (prior to the brain fully recovering from an initial concussion) can be devastating. The worse scenario is permanent brain damage or even death; this is well documented in the clinical literature. Student athletes are more prone for adverse and possible devastating effects from concussion as a result of their developing brain. A brain does not fully develop in boys and girls until approximately the ages of 21 and 18, respectively.
It is mandatory for many major college and professional athletes to undergo baseline neurocognitive testing prior to the outset of the season. This enables better diagnosis and monitoring of those individuals who sustain a concussion. Unfortunately, our student athletes have not scrutinized as much as professional athletes. Despite the availability of baseline screening, many school districts, coaches, student athletes, and parents, have elected not to have student athletes undergo baseline neurocognitive testing as legislation for baseline testing has risen from state to state over the past few years.
Fortunately, the impetus for this legislation was to increase awareness of sports concussion and to ensure a safe and timely return to play for our student athletes following concussion or more severe traumatic brain injuries. More importantly, these legislative measures have resulted in mandates for all student athletes involved in various sports (not just contact) to undergo baseline neurocognitive testing. In essence, it is time for everyone to “step up to the plate”. Terms such as “no pain, no gain”, “get up and brush yourself off”, and “hurry up and get back into the game”, are obviously obsolete sayings which clearly do not bode well with the safety of our student athletes.
Remember our young student athletes are our future. While they may not become professional athletes, they are our future teachers, electricians, doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, and a host of other professions. They deserve our protection through “using our heads” in making wise decisions!
Michael J. Raymond, Ph.D., ABN, FACPN
Board Certified Neuropsychologist #232
Licensed Psychologist #35S100252900