CONCUSSION SAFETY WHAT STUDENT-ATHLETES NEED TO KNOW What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. It follows a force to the head or body and leads to a change in brain function. It is not typically accompanied by loss of consciousness. How can I keep myself safe? How can I be a good teammate? 1. Know the symptoms. 1. Know the symptoms. You may experience … You may notice that a teammate … • Headache or head pressure • Nausea • Balance problems or dizziness • Double or blurry vision • Sensitivity to light or noise • Feeling sluggish, hazy or foggy • Confusion, concentration or memory problems • • • • • • • Appears dazed or stunned Forgets an instruction Is confused about an assignment or position Is unsure of the game, score or opponent Appears less coordinated Answers questions slowly Loses consciousness 2. Speak up. • If you think you have a concussion, stop playing and talk to your coach, athletic trainer or team physician immediately. 3. Take time to recover. • Follow your team physician and athletic trainer’s directions during concussion recovery. If left unmanaged, there may be serious consequences. • Once you’ve recovered from a concussion, talk with your physician about the risks and benefits of continuing to participate in your sport. 2. Encourage teammates to be safe. • If you think one of your teammates has a concussion, tell your coach, athletic trainer or team physician immediately. • Help create a culture of safety by encouraging your teammates to report any concussion symptoms. 3. Support your injured teammates. • If one of your teammates has a concussion, let him or her know you and the team support playing it safe and following medical advice during recovery. • Being unable to practice or join team activities can be isolating. Make sure your teammates know they’re not alone. No two concussions are the same. New symptoms can appear hours or days after the initial impact. If you are unsure if you have a concussion, talk to your athletic trainer or team physician immediately. NCAA SPORT SCIENCE INSTITUTE CONCUSSION SAFETY WHAT STUDENT–ATHLETES NEED TO KNOW What happens if I get a concussion and keep practicing or competing? What do I need to know about repetitive head impacts? • Due to brain vulnerability after a concussion, an athlete may be more likely to suffer another concussion while symptomatic from the first one. • Repetitive head impacts mean that an individual has been exposed to repeated impact forces to the head. These forces may or may not meet the threshold of a concussion. • In rare cases, repeat head trauma can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage or even death. • Continuing to play after a concussion increases the chance of sustaining other injuries too, not just concussion. • Athletes with concussion have reduced concentration and slowed reaction time. This means that you won’t be performing at your best. • Athletes who delay reporting concussion take longer to recover fully. What are the long-term effects of a concussion? • We don’t fully understand the long-term effects of a concussion, but ongoing studies raise concerns. • Research is ongoing but emerging data suggest that repetitive head impact also may be harmful and place a student-athlete at an increased risk of neurological complications later in life. Did you know? • NCAA rules require that team physicians and athletic trainers manage your concussion and injury recovery independent of coaching staff, or other non-medical, influence. • We’re learning more about concussion every day. To find out more about the largest concussion study ever conducted, which is being led by the NCAA and U.S. Department of Defense, visit ncaa.org/concussion. • Athletes who have had multiple concussions may have an increased risk of degenerative brain disease and cognitive and emotional difficulties later in life. CONCUSSION TIMELINE Baseline Testing Balance, cognitive and neurological tests that help medical staff manage and diagnose a concussion. Concussion Recovery If you show signs of a concussion, NCAA rules require that you be removed from play and medically evaluated. Your school has a concussion management plan, and team physicians and athletic trainers are required to follow that plan during your recovery. For more information, visit ncaa.org/concussion. NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Return to Learn Return to Play Return to school should be done in a step-by-step progression in which adjustments are made as needed to manage your symptoms. Return to play only happens after you have returned to your preconcussion baseline and you’ve gone through a step-bystep progression of increasing activity.