Whether you’re a casual player in a local footy club, a keen netballer, or a parent cheering from the sidelines, sports concussions are something you need to know about. They are more common than many people realise and more serious than just “a knock to the head.”
💥 When do you receive a concussion during sports?
A concussion occurs during sports when someone receives a hard impact to the head throughout the course of a game. When someone is hit hard enough that their brain moves or twists significantly within their skull they often become concussed. This is more common in contact sports where colliding with people or getting hit is a significant part of the game such as footy, rugby, boxing, and ice hockey.
⚠️ What are the signs that someone has a sports concussion?
The signs that someone has a sports concussion may vary depending on the individual and don’t always show up straight away. Additionally, it’s important to note that someone doesn’t have to be knocked out or lose consciousness in order to sustain a concussion. It’s important to keep a close eye on someone after they have been concussed to make sure they are following the correct recovery protocols.
Commonly, you can expect individuals with sports concussions to have headaches, problems with memory, dizziness, confusion, problems with coordination, sensitivity to light and sound, lethargy, and blurry vision. When receiving a physical evaluation, they may have difficulty concentrating during assessment tasks, have trouble remaining physically steady, and be confused or disoriented. Additionally, they may have stunted reaction time and worse physical or visual coordination. If the player hasn’t been knocked out but is still on the field, they may show signs such as stumbling, running in the wrong direction or being unusually slow to react.
🛑 Can you play sports with a concussion?
You should always avoid continuing to play sports until you have fully recovered from a concussion. Playing while you’re still recovering from a concussion puts you at a substantial risk of other problems, including a second concussion. This can be a lot more serious and potentially lead to life-threatening issues like Second Impact Syndrome. That’s why many codes in Australia, including AFL, rugby league, and soccer, have concussion management protocols. Athletes should only return to play after medical clearance, following a step-by-step recovery process.
⏳ Concussion treatment in sports
When it comes to treating concussions from sports, recovery is the most important thing. Someone who has received a concussion should spend at least the first 24-48 hours afterwards resting and doing as little as possible. After this, they can gradually start returning to light activity like walking or schoolwork. During this recovery period, it’s a good idea to reduce screen time as it has the potential to worsen some symptoms. This can be followed by a slow, gradual return to sport or school, guided by a medical practitioner. Concussions resolve in anywhere between two and twelve weeks in most cases, so the recovery timeline should always be tailored to the individual. However, it’s possible for symptoms to persist beyond this period, and this is referred to as Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms (PPCS).
📝 The Importance of Neuropsychological Assessments for Sports Concussions
With early recognition, assessments, proper care, and a cautious return to activity, most people make a full recovery. Neuropsychological assessments are essential for understanding the impact of a sports concussion on the brain and guiding the recovery process. In addition to identifying symptoms, they track cognitive function and create a baseline to gauge recovery time. Assessments help determine if the brain has healed sufficiently for safe participation in sports and a return to school, thereby reducing the risk of further injury.
How to Book an Appointment
For further information about our concussion support services, get in touch below:
- Submit an enquiry – we will get back to you as soon as we can!
- Call us at (08) 6317 6000
- Email us at enquiries@bowyerpsychology.com.au
