Sports-Related Concussions In Sports

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It happens all too often, athletes are coming home complaining of dizziness, confusion, and a headache. “More than 1.6 million Americans suffer a sports-related concussion every year, and a growing number occur among high school and college athletes” (O’connor). A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works (Concussions in Sports). It causes the brain to slam against the inner wall of the skull. Bleeding or tearing of the nerve fibers causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness and amnesia (Unit). Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious (Concussion in Sports). Lately, concussions have been a hot topic of discussion around sports teams, especially the procedure of getting a concussed athlete back into the game playing as soon as possible. However, what people are missing to focus on is the difference in concussions between boys and girls. Surprisingly, “girls may run a higher risk of suffering concussions than their male counterparts engaging in the same sports, researchers say” (Unit). A new study to be published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that in high school soccer, “girls sustained this type of head trauma 68 percent more often than boys did. Female concussion rates in high school basketball were almost three times higher, and girls took longer to recover and to return to play compared with boys” (Unit). From the risks of receiving a concussion, to the symptoms, and even to the recovery process, concussions... ... middle of paper ... ...ry other day, routines at home. Other general core-strengthening exercises, such as crunches, should also be incorporated into these sessions. Athletes taking responsibility and actually doing these exercises will decrease their chances of getting a concussion, because their necks and cores will be stronger and better able to prevent their heads from whipping back and forth. Unlike what most people think, concussions are in fact different in boys and girls. The symptoms show up differently, which parents and coaches should be aware of and observant for. Once a concussion is suffered, special precautions should be taken to ensure a quick and full recovery of the brain. Since girls tend to have weaker necks than boys, neck strengthening exercises should become a habit for athletes, most importantly girl athletes, to help decrease the risks of receiving a concussion.

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