Athletic Training
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IMPORTANT: Parent/Athlete Letter from Andrew Rizza |
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Important Information about Concussions
Given the potential serious consequences that can befall students who experience concussions, the Weston Public Schools urges all parents to educate themselves about the dangers. Parents of student athletes are now required by Massachusetts law to participate in an on line course about the signs and symptoms of a concussion. This course (which is indicated for coaches) provides valuable information on head injury prevention and control. Click here to access the course All individuals serving as Weston Public Schools’ coaches this fall have participated in a mandatory course on this topic. Faculty and staff are also being trained. If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse or the Director of Athletics, Mike McGrath. Useful Links
www.impacttest.com www.sportslegacy.org www.nata.org www.sportsconcussion.net Parent and Athlete Information Concussion Fact Sheet for Athletes Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents Related Articles Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport Girls often neglected victims Concussion and performance Causes, effects and risks Concussions and repercussions Concussions in Hockey Silence on Concussion |
What is a Concussion?
The term mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is used interchangeably with the term concussion. An MTBI or concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiologic process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces secondary to direct or indirect forces to the head. Concussion, in Latin, means "to shake violently" and MTBI is caused by a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Disturbance of brain function is related to neurometabolic dysfunction, rather than structural injury, and is typically associated with normal structural neuroimaging findings (i.e., CT scan, MRI). MTBI may or may not involve a loss of consciousness (LOC). In fact, recent research suggests that up to 90% of concussions do not involve an LOC (ref). MTBI results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional and sleep-related symptoms. Duration of symptoms are highly variable and may last for as short as several minutes and last as long as several days, weeks, months, or even longer in some cases.1-3 Concussion is a highly variable process and differential outcomes are associated with multiple factors, including the associated biomechanical forces of injury, pre-existing risk factors, and likely other unknown factors or considerations. Information provided by ImPact.com Weston Athletic Training is on the forefront of concussion management and takes every precaution when assessing an athlete with a (MTBI) head injury. We use tools such as Sports Concussion Assesment Tool 2 (SCATII) test and ImPact neurocognitive testing to record baseline and follow up tests with our athletes. |