High School Athletes : A High Risks For Injuries During The Course Of Playing Sports

In a society where sports have become the focus for most youths, there has been increased attention to identification, diagnosis and prevention of sports-related

Concussions can occur virtually anywhere, and everyone is at risk of getting a concussion, whether they participate in sports or not. Athletes, who take part in any kind of contact sports, no matter the age level, are all susceptible to suffering from a concussion. Football is one of the sports that expose young athletes to higher risk in getting a concussion. According to Headcase, football is said to have one of the highest concussions rates (64-76.8) when being compared to other sports. According to a study done by Frontline, high school football players are twice as likely of getting concussions compared to college players. In the study conducted, there was a rate of

Concussions, a minor traumatic brain injury that may occur when the head hits an object, are a huge problem in football in high schools and lower levels today. Concussions are very common in football, concussions have a huge negative effect on the brain, and parents and schools are worried about their kids safety. Concussion, in football, are a rising problem especially since the NFL is being sued for hundreds of millions because of concussions. High School football is very violent on children and thats why it is losing some participants.

Concussions have a huge impact on athletics and student athletes in our generation today. They effect people's lives for the worse and cause setbacks in education and athletic opportunities. Many students who get concussions from athletic activities return to play their sport too soon after getting the concussion, which can cause even more serious issues. Considering 300,000 sports related concussions occur each year, they are very relevant to our everyday lives. Returning to play a sport too soon after suffering from a concussion can result in the risk for a further injury or worse concussion, severe symptoms and healing, and the very likely chance for another concussion to occur.

There are a countless number of students in high school and college throughout all of the U.S. that participate in sports and physical activities. High school sports are a fun and enjoyable way for young adults to compete and play in an organized setting. Many of these sports involve a copious amount of risk for injury. There are preventative measures to a certain extent in most sports to limit the risk of injury as much as possible. There are an umpteen number of injuries that one can sustain during the participation of sports. One of these injuries that should be put on the radar is the concussion. Concussions and serious brain injuries

Concussions are injuries to the brain that can be caused by any significant blunt force trauma to the head such as a fall, car accident, being struck on the head with an object, or sports injury. Sports are second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury particularly among people who are 15 to 24 years old (Solomon, 2006). Pediatric physicians care for a significant number of patients who are involved in sport-related activities in schools or clubs, however most sport-related concussions are never diagnosed because young athletes may not recognize or report the symptoms of a concussion. It is important for physicians to know that although concussions are the most minor of traumatic brain injuries, if not detected and managed properly, they can lead to more serious short-term and long-term issues.

Concussions in youth sports has recently became more popular in the news. Mukand and Serra recently discovered, “about 1.6- 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur every year, and a recent study found that 182,000 football players may sustain at least one concussion annually in youth (99,000), high school (76,640), and NCAA football programs (3,905), or about 1 in 30 players and 1 in 14 high school players” (16). The amount of concussions should be alarming to athletes and the parents. Hospitals have noticed a growing number of visits from children and young adults with concussions because of sports, but it is unclear if the rise is due to more concussions or more reports due to better awareness of concussions (Mitka 1775-1776). Concussions could be on the rise or more people are recognizing the symptoms of concussions and then reporting them. Either way, concussions in youth sports need to be reduced or completely eliminated. Sports related concussions in youth can be prevented with proper education and technique. Efficient and reliable equipment and better rules and regulations in youth sports can also prevent concussions and brain injuries in youth and adolescents.

In 2006, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 1.6 million to 3.8 million sport-related concussions occur each year in the United States (Langois, Rutland-Brown, & Wald, 2006). Sport-related concussions are a subset of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and are defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain (McCrory et al., 2012). The typical signs and symptoms associated with a concussion include confusion, amnesia, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, and/or poor concentration (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010).

A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury, caused by a blow to the head. A Concussion is a common injury in high school sports. Doctors consider them to be a mild injury, because they are rarely life threatening. However, a concussion can range in severity and it can be difficult to determine how serious the injury is, even with a CT scan. The student 's ability to recover is greatly impacted by the severity of the injury. Each student 's recovery is different, and often students are cleared to practice before they have fully recovered. Alarmingly, if a concussed student athlete returns to their sport without fully recovering, they are at risk for life threatening second-impact syndrome. Head injuries are finally being addressed on the news, and getting the attention they deserve. Now is not the time for naivety, the health of student athletes needs to be priority. What exactly is second-impact syndrome and how is it being prevented in high school sports? Every coach, player, and parent needs to be aware of the risk involved in making hasty return to play decisions.

Concussions are the most common head injury that can occur while participating in sports. “A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. When athletes sustain concussions, their brains stop functioning properly as a result of trauma. Perhaps the simplest way to think of a sport-related concussion is as a temporary dysfunction of the brain caused by trauma Even though there are some people who symptoms of having a concussion will seem obvious”(Meehan). There are over 250,000 concussion injuries reported each year with football players alone. High school football players experience at least one concussion during their season each year. Sport related concussions are most likely to witness by someone, they are usually mild, sometimes to never

Current United States statistics indicate approximately 7 million head injuries occur each year. Seven hundred thousand of these relate to sports and recreational activities, and three hundred thousand relate directly to sports. Eight deaths occur each year in professional football due to brain injury (Genuardi & King, 1995). These deaths most commonly result from subdural hematoma, when blood collects within the brain, and the associated brain injury. About 20% of participants in high school football suffer a concussion in a single season. Ongoing studies by the National Athletic Trainers Association showed, “a 17% increase in minor head injuries and an 85% increase in moderate head injuries in high school football comparing the 1980s to the 1990s” (Powell, 1998). A portion of these increases is because of better and more comprehensive reporting systems but the risk of concussion remains. Further, a football player who suffers one mild brain injury (MBI) has four times the risk to sustain a second MBI (Young, Jocobs,Clavette, Mark, & Guse, 1997).

Our society would not be what it is today without the world of sports. In the United States, football has become an essential part of Sunday plans to over 250 million people. While numerous people of all ages watch the sport, many people play it as well. This includes over one million high schoolers who participate in the sport at their schools. For many, football games are some of the most memorable high school moments. However, football isn’t all about the fans and school spirit; the players themselves face enormous risks just by stepping out on the field. Concussions and other health concerns have become more common than ever in football, especially with the youth. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and in sports, they are usually caused by an impact or blow to the head. These injuries leave a lasting impact and can greatly impact one’s life. High school football is too dangerous in today’s world due to the extensive and life threatening injuries that commonly occur in the sport.

During the investigation of the epidemiology of concussions, they compared high school and college athletes. They found approximately 300,000 sports related brain injuries happens yearly in the United States, which is the second leading cause of brain injuries for ages 15 to 24. The sample included 100 high schools and 180 colleges and the data calculated rates, described patterns, and likely risk factors for athletes.

“CDC reports show that the amount of reported concussions has doubled in the last 10 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reported that emergency room visits for concussions in kids ages 8 to 13 years old has doubled, and concussions have risen 200 percent among teens ages 14 to 19 in the last decade” (Head Case, 2013). It is reported that between 5-10% of athletes will suffer concussion during any given sports season. Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males with a 75% chance. It has also been found that 78% of concussions happen during games as opposed to during practices (Science Daily, 2014).

The study by Giang, et al. (2015) revealed that there were 354 reported concussions: 56.78% from the intervention schools and 43.22% from the control schools. The male athletes were the primary reporters (74% total) stating that concussion occurs mainly during the games (61% total) - most predominantly when playing football (67% total), followed by soccer (25% total), then cheer/spirit and volleyball that tied at 3% total - then practice (36% total), and other situations (3% total) (Giang, et al.,