A Knock On the Head

Athletes and concussions were the subjects of two seperate studies this month. The research suggests that one or more concussions can impair an athletes memory skills and ability to take tests.

More than sixty-three thousand athletes suffer mild to serious brain injuries each year. A concussion is a blow to the head powerful enough to affect the way the brain works. Symptoms can include:dizziness, balance and memory difficulties, and headaches.

Football accounts for more than sixty percent of reported head injuries among student athletes. Undaunted by the news, student athletes are still playing ball.

"It really doesn't effect my decision..." said Bryan Winne, a center and defensive end for TC Williams High School football team. "I look at it as a fairly common injury, that you can recover from fairly easy."

That sentiment was echoed by fellow tight end James Gibson, "I've been playing since I was about six and I never had an injury that caused me to miss action, so it doesn't really worry me at all."

High incidents of concussions are also reported in soccer.

"I was going for a header in soccer and got hit on the head. I did all the tests and I was fine... I've gotten hit on the head a couple of times, but it hasn't had a major conflict with my school work. " said, Cavanaugh Haggen a player on several different teams.

Coaches are aware of the dangers, but say their athletic programs are safe.

"It's important for parents and athletes to understand that there is a risk of injury and then do all they can do to minimize the risk by following the instructions of the coach and the rules of the game." Said Lee Stone, head athletic trainer of TC Williams High.

Coaches believe injuries can be avoided through preventive training.

"The National Federation of High School Sports initiated rules making it illegal to use the head for primary contact." said, Lee Stone, "Certainly coaches are doing a lot by teaching techniques to players that will allow the students to minimize those kinds of occurrences. TC Wiliams' coaches use a step by step process of tackling and blocking techniques emphasizing hitting with body and not with the head."

Doctors who worked on both studies argue for greater attention to problems associated with school athletes and concussions.

Doctors treating athletes for concussions say that helmet safety tests, teaching techniques, and playing rules may be required to reduce the potential risk.

School sports continue to be the most popular extra curricular activities in U.S. schools, with more than six and half million students participating.

Dr. Michael Collins who led the American study will answer your questions and concerns about concussion injuries, the risk factors, the connection between concussion histories and long-term effects.

We will be posting his responses on the Web site.