| Concussions in Youth Football | | | | greater risk once he is on the field, heightening his |
| Concussions are a serious problem in football. | | | | risk of injury. |
| According to the AMA about 6% of College | | | | Long term problems of the multiple concussion |
| football players sustain concussions during a typical | | | | group included a nearly twice as high incidence of |
| season. Their latest study stated that many | | | | learning disabilities, memory loss, erratic behavior, |
| players are being rushed back into action while still | | | | slower physical movement, emotional difficulties, |
| exhibiting symptoms like dizziness, poor balance, | | | | and poor impulse control. As stated in previous |
| cognitive impairment and severe headaches. The | | | | posts here on the blog, concussions don't always |
| study found that more than 90% of the players | | | | result in unconsciousness. At the youth level it is |
| were symptom free by day 7 if the players | | | | silly to even consider putting a player back into |
| were on a regimen of complete rest . The study | | | | contact before a 7-10 day rest period after their |
| also found that 41% of players were rushed back | | | | first concussion. Of course always have the |
| to play too soon. | | | | player immediately consult with a physician and do |
| Risk of More Concussions | | | | not play anyone still showing the above |
| The AMA data showed that once a player has | | | | symptoms. |
| sustained their first concussion, the player was | | | | Youth Football Coaching Implications |
| three times as likely to sustain a second or third | | | | When coaching youth football, remember that this |
| concussion compared to players that have never | | | | player has many future years of playing football in |
| had one. Nebraska's own Turner Gill had to pass | | | | front of him, there is no need to risk permanent |
| on a very promising NFL career due to sustaining | | | | injury. Don't even get me started about what |
| three concussions over an 18 month time frame. | | | | your parents are thinking of you when you rush a |
| After the first concussion, arteries flowing to the | | | | player back into action after a concussion. In |
| brain constrict, restricting blood flow to the brain. | | | | those cases you will have drained the entire |
| This causes among other things, slower reaction | | | | balance of the "emotional bank account" you have |
| times as well as higher energy demands on the | | | | with those parents. |
| players body. These symptoms put the player at | | | | |
