Concussions: We Are Still Not Getting It

Concussions are once again in the news as the football season begins. Many articles have been published claiming that coaches at the youth level are well trained in concussions. But is this really the case?

But what are real people saying?

"Kids should be allowed to bodycheck in hockey from a young age. Get used to the contact. Get used to being aware & having their heads up. Waiting until they are minor bantam & teenagers with variant size, strength & testosterone is ludicrous. Accident waiting to happen." Source

In Ontario, Canada, children account for more than 40% of all concussion patients and children under 5 have the highest incidence of injury. Source

The research says, "disallowing body checking in Pee Wee resulted in a 50% relative reduction in injury rate and a 64% reduction in concussion rate in 11-year-old and 12-year-old hockey players in Alberta."

This article says, "the use of athletic trainers is not as prevalent in grade-school and middle-school football leagues. It is likely that some youth with concussion in this age group go undiagnosed in the absence of a medical professional on the sidelines."

"Not as prevalent?" The reality is that at the youth level (K - middle school and youth sports leagues and clubs) there are almost never athletic trainers present at games and non-existent at practices.

And the statement "some youth with concussion in this age group go undiagnosed" is misleading as the vast majority are never reported no less "diagnosed."

The CEO of a youth football league recently stated, "You’re not getting concussions playing pee-wee football” Source

What is the reality of concussions in youth football?

This study states, "Given the young age of the sample, the relatively high incidence of concussion and the implications for pediatric health were striking."

Finally, this statement by Rob Gronkowski should give everyone pause....

"I would let my son play football, but first I'd educate him on the game," Gronkowski told CBS News. "[I would] educate him on what I went through, and I truly believe that any injury you receive is fixable, though. I mean, I went through it. I had nine surgeries and probably had, like, 20 concussions in my life -- no lie. I remember five blackout ones."

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