An athlete should not return to play until all of his symptoms — physical and cognitive — have cleared up.
Turn Text Only Off
Page Utilities
BrainLine Kids is a service of 
Click on any phrase to play the video at that point.
After a player has experienced a concussion, our concern is that we not return
them to play until they have fully recovered.
And the best way to do that is, first of all, rest.
But then introduce light exercise
and be monitoring their symptoms since then.
And the symptoms would be the physical
symptoms of headache, dizziness, balance-types
of problems, and so on.
But we're also concerned about whether they're thinking well or not.
In the process, this may take several days to get
to the point where we're assessing their
level of symptom expression.
And by, hopefully, 7 days or so,
any particular athlete may be back to normal functioning.
It is important, though, to stress
the system when you are assessing whether
they are appropriate to return to play.
For example, a student may tell you that they don't have any
headaches anymore after the second day.
Fine, that's great.
We'll start some mild exercise.
If the headache comes back, we cut back on the exercise again.
If it doesn't come back, eventually
we have them do a heavier exercise
and see if the headache has returned.
So we're constantly checking to see
that all symptoms clear up even when you
put them under stressful conditions.
And that includes a brain being under a
stressful condition of increased intracranial pressure,
which is what happens when you actually exercise.
Produced by Victoria Tilney McDonough and Brian King, BrainLine.
Jeffrey Barth, PhD, ABPP-CN holds the position of professor and co-director of the Neurocognitive Assessment Laboratory, and section head, Neurocognitive Studies in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, with a joint appointment in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
The contents of Brainline (the “Web Site”), such as text, graphics, images, information obtained from the Web Site’s licensors and/or consultants, and other material contained on the Web Site (collectively, the “Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Specifically, with regards to medical issues, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Web Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Web Site does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Web Site. Reliance on any information provided by the Web Site or by employees, volunteers or contractors or others associated with the Web Site and/or other visitors to the Web Site is solely at your own risk.
Related Content
Audio/Video:
"Don't even try to fool me because I'm watching you!" So says Jay Driscoll, ATC / CSCS, athletic director at Washington, DC’s St. Albans School, to his student athletes, alluding to the fact that some athletes cover up a mild brain injury so as to stay in the game. With a no-nonsense attitude and a keen sense of humor, Jay talks to BrainLine about his program on injury prevention, care, and rehabilitation services as well as how he helps his athletes meet and exceed demands by enhancing their physical fitness, performance, and health.
Transcript of this video.- Working the Sidelines
- Retired NFL player Jason Belser talks about what strategies the NFL Players Association is using to educate young players about concussion and safety.
- Young Football Players and the NFL's New Safety Tactics
- Retired NFL player Jason Belser talks about how the National Football League Players Association is working to protect athletes of all ages. "When you have symptoms, tell someone!" Produced by Brian King and Noel Gunther. Transcript of this video.
- NFL Players Association: Report Concussion Symptoms
- Jason Belser played 11 seasons in the NFL and is now an executive with the National Football League Players Association. Here he discusses why athletes might resist leaving the game after a possible concussion. Produced by Brian King and Noel Gunther. Transcript of this video.
- Jason Belser Discusses Concussion and the NFL
- “Brown Is Bad, Brown Is Cell Death.” The “brown” is tau, a protein that accumulates in the brains of people, like professional football players and boxers, who have sustained repeat blows to the head. Learn about the research and education going on at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, a collaboration between Boston University School of Medicine and the Sports Legacy Institute. See all videos interviews with Dr. Ann McKee.
- Game Changers
- A second concussion may have more dangerous consequences than a first concussion, especially in a young adult brain.
See all videos interviews with Dr. Ann McKee.
- Why Is an Injured Player More at Risk for a Second Concussion?
- Educate everyone involved about concussion — from the player and his parents to the coach and the teammates.
- Importance of Concussion Education
- People need to know that a concussion can be a serious event, repetitive concussions even more so. Proper recovery is essential to outcome.
- Concussions and Contact Sports
- During any given season in football or ice hockey, for example, a player has a 5-10% chance of sustaining a concussion.
- How Common Are Concussions in Contact Sports?
- When has a person had too many concussions? There is no definitive answer but with each additional concussion comes more danger. Learn more about the effects of cumulative concussions. Produced by Vicky Youcha and Brian King.
Transcript of this video.
- What We Know and Don't Know About Multiple Concussions
Articles:
BrainLine Footer
Getting Started |
Site Features |
Follow Us |
About |
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
RSS Feeds
BrainLine.org is a WETA website funded by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center through a contract with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Government funding support is not an endorsement of WETA or any of its products, including this website.
© 2013 WETA All Rights Reserved
