The subject of concussions in college sports, specifically football, has been a hot button issue as of late and the UTM football program, local high schools and area trainers and physicians are doing their part in handling concussion management.
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), “A concussion, even in mild forms, is recognized as a type of traumatic brain injury that requires medical attention and monitoring. Concussions can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body that can change the way your brain normally works.”
Based on information from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the new guidelines on concussion management released in January 2013 are the first of its kind in 15 years. The AAN says that over one million athletes in the U.S. experience a concussion annually. Some symptoms of a concussion include amnesia, confusion, headache, loss of consciousness, double vision, nausea and concentration or memory problems.
In the recent PBS Frontline special, “League of Denial,” Boston University researchers revealed there are now 50 confirmed cases of deceased football players who suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disorder linked to memory loss, depression and dementia. Of those 50 confirmed cases of former players, 33 played in the NFL, one in the CFL, one in semi-pro football, nine through college and six through high school.
“If an athlete shows signs of a concussion, he is held out of all activities that day [practice or games],” said UTM Head Athletic Trainer Bart Belew.
“[We] have used a computerized concussion evaluation [IMPACT software] for 10 years to help manage concussions and assist with return to play decisions.”
Concussed players returning to the field has become a cliché in the sports world, but Belew insists he has never been pressured by a coach to clear a player that has been concussed to go back in the game.
“I have been very lucky in the past 14 years,” said Belew.
“I can’t remember one time our coaches tried to pressure me into releasing a player early from a concussion.”
There are specific symptoms that the UTM training staff is required to look for in an athlete who may have gotten a concussion.
“If a player has a suspected concussion, he must be taken out of the game immediately,” said Health and Human Performance graduate Nick Roberson.
“That player may not return to the game until after they are evaluated by staff who is trained in concussion. Also, return to activity must be done slowly and only after acute symptoms are gone. … A player who has been diagnosed with a concussion needs to be watched for headache, grogginess, sensitivity to light and sound, [as well as] changes in speech, sleep, reaction time and judgment.”
Roberson also said that technology such as the IMPACT software has helped in the assessment process.
“Technology [IMPACT software] has really helped the way we assess players before and after an injury. At the beginning of the football season, before practice starts, all players are given a baseline test. After a head injury occurs, the player is given that same test to measure differences in performance. After 48-72 hours, a player will be retested. These test results offer a print-out that can be given to coaching and medical staff to prove where that player is in their healing,” Roberson said.
Kevin Goltra, head football coach at Obion County Central High School, revealed his staff’s concussion practices.
“We exercise caution both during the game and at practice. Although we do not limit the number of hits in practice as much as we avoid hits that are unnecessary. We try to make sure the players are in position to protect themselves in all aspects of practice and don’t do any ‘tough guy’ drills that aren’t football-related,” Goltra said.
Goltra added that the decision on whether or not an athlete plays, is left up to the trainer.
“When it comes to any injury, especially concussions, the coaches leave that completely up to the trainer at Obion County. We do not make any recommendations or requests of the trainer. Whatever he says goes. That keeps the liability off of us and puts the kids’ safety at the forefront. With the specific guidelines concerning concussions, there isn’t all that much gray area anymore. There are specific steps and protocol that has to take place,” Goltra said.
While there have been major investments made to improve the equipment, Belew insists that the problem isn’t that easily solved.
“Over the past 10-20 years, equipment has improved greatly but it is a double-edged sword,” said Belew.
“Technology has made it much safer for players, but this safer equipment has also made players think they are invincible. They see football equipment as a suit of armor. There is no such thing as a completely concussion-proof helmet.”
The use of proper equipment is crucial to player safety, but certain aspects of football techniques have been addressed to reduce injury. According to the NCAA website, the NCAA cracked down on head-down contact in 2005. In 2008, the horse-collar tackle became illegal. Also, in 2009 conferences were required to review plays involving players being targeted and potentially suspend offenders. Specific blocking was also eliminated and concussion-management plans were added in 2010.
These new steps and guidelines have been put into play to protect high school and college football players from serious head injury. With even just a few concussions, a student’s life may be altered forever. Traumatic brain injury on the field could lead to a lifetime of memory loss, confusion, dementia and even CTE, which could result in depression or even death later on in life.
