Sports hold tremendous value in American society and all athletes have at least one thing in common: the risk of getting a concussion. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that results from a direct/indirect action or force that causes the brain to shake rapidly within the skull (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016). This injury can mildly or severely affect the brain’s function by damaging brain cells and producing chemical alterations (CDC, 2016). Throughout the years, concussions have been more prevalent not only in professional sports, but among youth, college, and recreational sports as well. Despite the remarkably high statistics on concussions in the U.S., many cases still go unreported (Groce & Urankar,
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23). There are various factors that may influence one to avoid reporting a concussion. For college athletes, factors that discourage injury reporting include obtaining/maintaining scholarships, peer-acceptance, and coach support (Malinauskas, 2008 as cited by Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 646). An individual’s knowledge and attitude are two key components in concussion reporting (Setnik, 2007 as cited by Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 646). Register-Mihalik et al. conducted a study which used a cross-sectional survey to examine athletes who continued to normally participate in sport despite sustaining concussions and experiencing symptoms (2013, p. 645). The survey questioned male and female high-school athletes from different sports (cheerleading, lacrosse, football, and soccer) if they had reported their injuries to a coach or medical professional and it also tested their knowledge and attitudes about concussions (Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 646). Of the 89 athletes surveyed with histories of concussions, only 15 of them recalled letting someone know about their symptoms (Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 649). They also found a correlation between increased knowledge of the injury and reporting symptoms to someone in authority (Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 649). The athletes who notified someone about their concussion had a better understanding of the injury and how it …show more content…
Gait, posture, and hand-eye coordination are three areas that are commonly affected by this injury (Broglio et al., 2014, p. 252). Martini et al., 2011 stated that, “Those with a history of concussion adopted a more conservative gait pattern, documented by decreased walking speed, increased double-leg support time, and decreased single-leg support time compared with control subjects during dual-task walking” (as cited by Howell, Osternig, & Li-Shan, 2015, p. 1513). The vestibular system, which is comprised of the inner ear and connections with the central nervous system (CNS), can also be affected (Aligene & Lin, 2013, p. 544). This system contributes the most information about movement and if it is damaged, it can make regulating balance and sensing spatial orientation increasingly difficult (Lovell, 2009 as cited by Aligene & Lin, 2013, p. 544). Damage to the vestibular system can also account for the symptoms of dizziness and nausea (Aligene & Lin, 2013, p. 546). Many people also experience problems with their vision after sustaining a concussion, which can have a negative effect on cognition and learning (Groce & Urankar, 2016, p. 24). Difficulty reading, poor spelling, and diplopia are a few specific visual-perceptual challenges one may encounter post-concussion (Groce & Urankar, 2016, p. 26). It is important for an athlete to seek extended medical help if their symptoms persist because they can have a
23). There are various factors that may influence one to avoid reporting a concussion. For college athletes, factors that discourage injury reporting include obtaining/maintaining scholarships, peer-acceptance, and coach support (Malinauskas, 2008 as cited by Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 646). An individual’s knowledge and attitude are two key components in concussion reporting (Setnik, 2007 as cited by Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 646). Register-Mihalik et al. conducted a study which used a cross-sectional survey to examine athletes who continued to normally participate in sport despite sustaining concussions and experiencing symptoms (2013, p. 645). The survey questioned male and female high-school athletes from different sports (cheerleading, lacrosse, football, and soccer) if they had reported their injuries to a coach or medical professional and it also tested their knowledge and attitudes about concussions (Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 646). Of the 89 athletes surveyed with histories of concussions, only 15 of them recalled letting someone know about their symptoms (Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 649). They also found a correlation between increased knowledge of the injury and reporting symptoms to someone in authority (Register-Mihalik et al., 2013, p. 649). The athletes who notified someone about their concussion had a better understanding of the injury and how it …show more content…
Gait, posture, and hand-eye coordination are three areas that are commonly affected by this injury (Broglio et al., 2014, p. 252). Martini et al., 2011 stated that, “Those with a history of concussion adopted a more conservative gait pattern, documented by decreased walking speed, increased double-leg support time, and decreased single-leg support time compared with control subjects during dual-task walking” (as cited by Howell, Osternig, & Li-Shan, 2015, p. 1513). The vestibular system, which is comprised of the inner ear and connections with the central nervous system (CNS), can also be affected (Aligene & Lin, 2013, p. 544). This system contributes the most information about movement and if it is damaged, it can make regulating balance and sensing spatial orientation increasingly difficult (Lovell, 2009 as cited by Aligene & Lin, 2013, p. 544). Damage to the vestibular system can also account for the symptoms of dizziness and nausea (Aligene & Lin, 2013, p. 546). Many people also experience problems with their vision after sustaining a concussion, which can have a negative effect on cognition and learning (Groce & Urankar, 2016, p. 24). Difficulty reading, poor spelling, and diplopia are a few specific visual-perceptual challenges one may encounter post-concussion (Groce & Urankar, 2016, p. 26). It is important for an athlete to seek extended medical help if their symptoms persist because they can have a