Epidemiology: The Role Of Concussions In Sports

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Epidemiology The CDC estimates that 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur each year related to sports and recreational activities (as cited in Daneshvar, Nowinski, McKee, & Cantu, 2011). However, it is thought that this underestimates the number of concussions that actually occur because people who suffer a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) often do not seek medical attention. 75-95% of these concussions are mild (Evans, 2015). Males have more reported concussions that females. The ratio ranges between 2.0:1 and 2.8:1 (Evans, 2015). This could simply be a representation of higher risk activities and more direct contact sports. There is some evidence that concussion risk is actually greater for female soccer or basketball players …show more content…

The coup-contrecoup action causes rapid acceleration, deceleration, and rotational forces to the brain (Seifert & Shipman, 2015). This leads to stretching and distortion to neuronal cell bodies, axons, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. Axons can have injury even without neuronal death and are the most susceptible. After impact, a neurophysiological cascade occurs that ends in disruption of axonal and membrane function including widespread excitatory neurotransmitter release, alterations in cerebral blood flow, and synaptic dysfunction. These result in transient neurological dysfunction, shown by the clinical symptoms of a concussion. More evidence is also showing that recurrent concussions can lead to chronic degenerative changes in the brain.
It is thought that severity is worse when the athlete does not anticipate the impact, such as when the athlete does not see the collision coming (Seifert & Shipman, 2015). Impact severity is lessened in contact sports when collisions are anticipated, likely partially because the person can contract cervical musculature prior to contact.
There are three grades of concussion severity according to the American Academy of Neurology (Waltrip, 2014). Grade I has confusion and symptoms that last less than 15 minutes with no loss of consciousness. Grade II has

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