Secondary Prevention Strategies Following Concussions in High School Football Student-Athletes
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Date
2023
Authors
Tan, Justin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Objective: The focus of this research is the implementation of secondary prevention strategies in high school football. Specifically, the study will assess how Oregon high school coaches adhere to concussion laws and test their knowledge of concussion management. Background: “A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by an impact to your head or a blow to the body that causes your head and brain to move back and forth rapidly” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). It is estimated that between 1.7-3 million people sustain a sports-related concussion every year, and 300,000 of all concussions reported are from athletes that play football (UPMC). Between 2018-2019, researchers estimated that around 44% of all concussions that occur in high school sports are from football (Injury Claim Coach). Because sports concussions cannot be completely prevented, researchers and youth sports leaders agree that the focus should shift to implementing efficient concussion management strategies. This secondary prevention approach centers increasing awareness of concussion signs and symptoms, promoting recognition when it first happens, and implementing effective management strategies (i.e., removal from play, monitoring symptoms, gradual return to activity). High school students’ brains are still developing and rushing them back into sports puts their safety and health at risk in both the short-term and long-term. Furthermore, the culture of sports negatively influences athletes’ self-reporting of concussion symptoms and their compliance with return-to-play guidelines, exposing them to more safety and health concerns (Committee on Sports-Related Concussions in Youth, 2014). Methods: In order to analyze and assess concussion knowledge, a survey will be distributed to Oregon high school football coaches. The survey will assess coaches’ knowledge of common concussion signs and symptoms. Items will address knowledge of Max’s Law guidelines and the degree to which coaches are following the law. The survey will be sent out via email from the Oregon Athletic Coaches’ Association. The data gathered from the survey will be analyzed in a table format containing the most commonly missed signs and symptoms and most common beliefs. The responses to the Max’s Law questions will be sorted based on frequency.
Description
28 pages
Keywords
Concussions, Football, Prevention