The Ohio High School Athletic Association
|
Reducing Brain
and Spinal Injuries |
Reducing Brain and Spinal Injuries in
Football and Other Athletic Activities
Frederick O. Mueller, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Brain and spinal injuries in football have been
dramatically reduced since the rules were changed in 1976 to prohibit butt blocking and
face tackling, and any other technique in which the helmet and facemask purposely received
the brunt of the initial impact. There are still a small number of football players
(and fewer in other sports) that become paralyzed, but the lesson to keep the head and
face out of blocking and tackling remains.
Generally, about 3 – 5% of the injuries experienced by participants in
athletics are concussions, e.g., temporary dizziness, confusion, nausea, headaches, and
perhaps unconsciousness. Concussions are given grades from Grade 1 (a hit that dazes
for a few minutes to Grade 3 (unconscious). No concussion should be dismissed
as minor until proven so by medical personnel. The task is to be sure that the
athlete no longer has any post concussion symptoms at rest and exertion before returning
to competition. What is now called "the second impact syndrome" with its
high rate of morbidity if not mortality, is the result of returning to play too soon.
Several suggestions for reducing brain and spinal injuries follows:
1. Preseason physical exams for all participants. Identify during
the physical exam those athletes with a history of previous brain or spinal
injuries. If the physician has any questions about the athlete’s readiness to
participate, the athlete should not be allowed to play.
2. A physician should be present at all games and practices. If
it is not possible for a physician to be present at all games and practice sessions,
emergency measures must be provided. The total staff should be organized in that
each person will know what to do in case of a brain or spinal injury in game or
practice. Have a plan ready and have your staff prepared to implement that
plan. Prevention of further injury is the main objective.
3. Athletes must be given proper conditioning exercises which will
strengthen their neck muscles in order for them to be able to hold their head firmly erect
when making contact. Strong neck muscles may help prevent neck injuries.
4. Coaches should drill the athletes in the proper execution of the
fundamentals of the football skills, particularly blocking and tackling. KEEP
THE HEAD OUT OF FOOTBALL.
5. Coaches and officials should discourage the players from using their
heads as battering rams. The rules prohibiting spearing should be enforced in
practice and games. The players should be taught to respect the helmet as a
protective device and that the helmet should not be used as a weapon.
6. All coaches, physicians and trainers should take special care to see
that the players’ equipment is properly fitted, particularly the helmet.
7. Strict enforcement of the rules of the game by both coaches and
officials will help reduce serious injuries.
8. When a player has experienced or shown signs of brain trauma (loss
of consciousness, visual disturbances, headache, inability to walk correctly, obvious
disorientation, memory loss) he/she should receive immediate medial attention and should
not be allowed to return to practice or game without permission from the proper medical
authorities. Coaches should encourage players to let them know if they have any of
the above mentioned symptoms (that can’t be seen by others, such as headaches) and
why it is important.
9. Both athletes and their parents should be warned of the risks of
injuries.
10. Coaches
should not be hired if they do not have the training and experience needed to teach the
skills of the sport and to properly train and develop the athletes for competition.
Following is a list of Post Concussion Signs/Symptoms
Depression
Numbness/tingling
Dizziness
Poor Balance
Drowsiness
Poor Concentration
Excess Sleep
Ringing in the ears
Fatigue
Sadness
Feel "in fog"
Sensitive to Light
Headache
Sensitivity to Noise
Irritability
Trouble falling asleep
Memory Problems
Vomiting
Nausea
Nervousness
|
|
