Concussion Definition, Causes and Myths

For an increasing number of kids these days, playing sports doesn't end with the school year.  If anything, the competitive intensity of the all-star, tournament, travel ball, and sports camps that fill up their summer vacations means increased athletic exposures and increased risk of mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. And, because such activities are less likely to be staffed by an athletic trainer or other health care professional with specialized expertise in recognizing and treating concussion, parents need to be especially vigilant to the signs and symptoms of concussion.

Football still has the highest number of concussions and concussion rate at the high school level, but concussion rates are also high in boys' hockey and lacrosse, and girls' soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, says the most recent study.

A concussion may result from a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body where the force of the blow is transmitted to the head. Concussions occur from blows to different parts of the head and of varying magnitude. 

Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the evaluation and treatment of sport-related concussions in children and adolescents based on the latest consensus of experts.

Labeling a child's head injury a "concussion" may convey the wrong message to parents, athletes and athletic trainers about its seriousness, say the authors of a 2010 Canadian study.