Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have passed strong youth sports concussion safety laws since May 2009. Of the remaining nineteen states, three have passed weak concussion safety laws, ten are considering laws, and six have no concussion bills pending.
The Sports Legacy Institute's "Hit Count" initiative is designed to dramatically reduce youth athletes'
exposure to repetitive brain trauma in multiple sports, with the goal
to reduce concussions, sub-concussive trauma and risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Team physicians who assess and treat athletes suspected of concussion have new marching orders from the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), according to a team physician consensus statement released today. Under no circumstances should an athlete suspected of, or diagnosed with, a concussion return to play the day of their injury.
Athletes who experience dizziness at the time of concussion injury are six times more likely to experience a protracted recovery than those who don't become dizzy, says a new study, which suggests specific testing for the symptom at the time of injury to inform prognosis and potential therapies to speed recovery.
Many primary care physicians lack confidence in their ability to diagnose and manage concussions, says a new University of Washington study, although doctors receiving a concussion education toolkit were significantly less likely to recommend next day return to play after concussion, consistent with current guidelines.
Athletic trainers and primary care physicians evaluate and manage most concussions in high school sports, but the small percentage of athletes returned to play by a non-medical
professional is worrying, says a new study.
That the number of emergency department visits by children and teens for sports and recreation-related concussion jumped
over 60 percent from 2001 to 2009 may be good news, says The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, which attributed the rise to increased awareness of sports parents and coaches about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries.
An autopsy has revealed that former NHL star Rick Martin was suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated brain trauma.
Omega-3 fatty acids may help memory recovery after concussion suggests a 2011 study in rats. Given their other health benefits, it is "hard to see the harm" of consuming a fish oil supplement after head injury, says Dr. William P. Meehan, III.