Cognitive changes with Sports Collision

Number of recorded concussions in football and/or other games In the United States 1.6 to 3.8 million cases of concussions caused by sports related activities occur each year. In high schoolscases of concussion occur, mostly while playing football. During each season, 4% of high school and college football players suffer from concussions. Most of the concussions are caused by smashing into another player’s helmet. In rugby football 4.1 concussions injuries occur for every 1000 player-hours. Most of the concussions are caused by tackling or being tackled head-on and collisions. In Canadian college ice hockey 1.55 concussions injuries occur for every 1000 athlete exposures. Most of the concussions are caused by direct collisions into another player or into the boards or Plexiglas. Boxing is different than the other impact sports, since blows to the head are allowed, raising the risk for chronic concussions. A recent study done on professional boxing in Australia reports a rate of 250 head injuries for every 1000 boxers a year, 18% (45) are concussions injuries. Immediate cognitive changes when concussed in game Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. The immediate cognitive changes while concussed in a game are: loss of awareness about which period it is; who the opposing team is, and what the score of game is; confusion; amnesia (memory loss) and loss of consciousness. Typical symptoms are headaches or pressure in the head; nausea and vomiting; vision problems ‘seeing stars/flashing lights’ double or blurred vision; feeling stunned, ‘dinged’ ‘dazed’ or ‘foggy’, balance problems as dizziness; hearing problems as ringing in the ears; feeling slow and exhausted. Most symptoms resolve and players can go back to practice between 1-7 days. Longer term changes to brain/cognitive changes in high impact sports (e.g. boxing, football) After a concussion especially after loss of consciousness, serious problems can develop causing temporarydisability and stress. Different brain regions and systems control the different cognitive domains, and a brain injury causing a concussion can affect a range of neural networks. Cognitive problems may include disturbances in consciousness (difficulties being alert and being able to respond), attention (difficulties focusing, concentrating and easily distracted) memory loss, motor difficulties (poor coordination and balance, unsteadiness and loss of balance when walking) concussive convulsion/impact seizure, communication (slow in answering questions or following directions, slurred speech), personality changes (more emotional than usual and display of inappropriate emotions laughing and crying, irritability, sadness nervous or anxious), sleeping difficulties and sensitivity to light or noises. These cognitive difficulties can interfere with academic achievements, occupationalabilities, interpersonal relationships and functioning in daily life. More on Concussion Impact http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/01/new-study-one-step-closer-to-measuring-concussion-impact/ References Cynthia W et al Concussion in Sports: Postconcussive Activity Levels, Symptoms, and Neurocognitive Performance J Athl Train. 2008 May–Jun; 43(3): 265–274. Broglio SP et al The Biomechanical Properties of Concussions in High School Football. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010 Mar 25 McCrory P et al Summary and agreement statement of the 2nd International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Prague 2004 Br J Sports Med. 2005 Apr;39(4):196-204. Center for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine & The Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia. Benson BW et al The impact of face shield use on concussions in ice hockey: a multivariate analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2002 Feb;36(1):27-32. Zazryn TR et al A 16 year study of injuries to professional boxers in the state of Victoria, Australia. Br J Sports Med. 2003 Aug;37(4):321-4. back to blog