Illinois government and school officials have taken a zero tolerance stance against sports-related head trauma just in time for football season.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed a new state bill last month, House Bill 200, effective immediately, that requires students who leave a game as a result of a head injury to be cleared by a doctor before returning to the playing field.
The National Federation of State High School Associations estimates that 140,000 students sustain sports-related concussions every year. While football players comprise the majority of this statistic, the new law applies to all student athletes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveal that sports are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injury in young adults in the 15-to-24 age group. About 40 percent of these athletes return to the sport before making a full recovery, which puts them at greater risk for future concussions and long-term brain damage.
Northwestern University Medical School partnered with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to host a symposium aimed at educating school officials about concussion. Doctors met with coaches, trainers and athletic directors to help them identify early warning signs and proper protocol for a concussed athlete.
During the symposium, some athletic directors expressed concern about the additional funding needed to employ enough trained professionals to oversee injured athletes. Others speculated that more coaches and referees would err on the side of caution and sideline a greater number of athletes.
The hope is that early identification and intervention will curb the incidence of long-term damage among high school kids. But what about the child who's played football since he was 5? He's undoubtedly sustained plenty of impact blows by the time he enters high school. Furthermore, children between the ages of 5 and 18 are more likely to get a concussion than adults. They also take longer to recover from the injury.
With that in mind, should very young children be encouraged to participate in sports that are potentially dangerous to their neurological development?
Susie
4:32 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A kid can fall off a bike and get a concussion. A kid can fall off a slide and get a concussion. A kid and fall while rollerskating/blading and get a concussion. A kid can accidentally bump heads with another kid and get a concussion. A kid can fall off a swing and get a concussion Does this mean that we have to keep our kids in a bubble their whole life? I think not. You can't live in fear your whole life that your kid is going to injure him/herself cause it's going to happen and you can't always control everything. If you don't let them play sports, then they can become overweight and that's a whole other topic.
Play Houses
5:16 am on Friday, August 19, 2011
I totally agree susie, when I was younger it was all a part of growing up! you learn things from bumping your head or falling over and these are key in a childs development I feel.
Simon - http://www.playhouses.co.uk/
Deb Melchert
4:55 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Susie, I have to agree. There were no bicycle helmets when I was a kid and we survived. But I do understand the measure of requiring a doctor's clearance. I've read way to many stories about coaches AND parents who's only concern is win at any cost. Even at the expense of the health of the child.
Kathie
7:54 am on Thursday, August 18, 2011
I think the concern is about traumatic brain injury... Not just a once or twice thing. I think it is a start. But personally, after working with kids who have had traumatic brain injury, i think a CHILD who has suffered a concussion, should be done for the season. What is often not thought about, is that children who start playing at a young age, are banging heads almost every play, multiplied by the number of games, times the number of seasons played. That's more serious than a fall or two from a bike or a slide. There is a variety of activities that kids can do to stay healthy and active without body or head contact. (Remember also, nutrition is part of the equation when it comes to childhood obesity.)
Something that is worrisome for the child, is the fact (mentioned above) that some parents are living vicariously through their children and will "put them back into play" at any cost..... They will have the doc down the street sign a slip or even forge a signature to get their kids back into the game! The bill is a good start but there really are no consequences mentioned for people who do endanger a child by putting them back in after a concussion or several concussions.
Dave Dougherty
11:25 am on Thursday, August 18, 2011
There are now companies that will create a baseline of your child's brain prior to engaging in sports or at that point in their life (for a fee) so that if an injury should happen, you can measure. I wonder if that will become part of sport-physicals?
Dave Dougherty
1:40 pm on Thursday, August 18, 2011
I just got an email today about this company via Eastbay.
Kathy Quilty
9:59 am on Sunday, August 21, 2011
In High School District 230, they have been doing concussion tests for a few years now at the beginning of each sports season. They can take the player into the school and do another one as soon as a player is hit in the head. I do not know everything about it, but I am sure you can contact the Athletic Director of the school and ask him for more details.
nate
2:48 pm on Thursday, August 18, 2011
I agree with susie and why the government have to tell us what is safe for our children
Kathie
8:35 am on Monday, August 22, 2011
@Nate - ummm, think about your question again. Because parents do NOT always do what is best or safest for their children, sometimes out of ignorance, but also- and unfortunately, sometimes out of selfishness they do what is best for THEM or THEIR (own) needs.