by Publisher | Mar 1, 2012 | Research
By Nancy Shute
Concussions affect the thinking of teenagers more than they do that of adults or children, according to a new study. But all three age groups show lasting problems with working memory after sports concussions.
People use working memory for reading, problem solving and manipulating information. It’s controlled by the prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain. And that part of the brain matures during adolescence. “It likely makes it more vulnerable”, says Dave Ellemberg, a professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Montreal who led the study.
The study, which tested the thinking of 96 people about six months on average after they sustained a concussion, found that children had deficits as great as those in adults.
“Often parents and coaches will think that a child’s brain is more resilient,” Ellemberg told Shots. “That’s not the case. Even 6 to 8 months after the injury, we find marked deficits.”
What’s interesting about this study is that it tested the participants’ thinking two different ways. The participants took tests of memory and thinking speed used by the National Hockey League. And they also took tests while their brain activity was measured by an electroencephalogram.
Other recent research has found that the tests used by professional sports teams and, increasingly, by college and high school teams, aren’t all that good at detecting the long-term effects of concussion.
Ellemberg says that in earlier tests he did with EEGs, even if people did well on the standard neuropsychological tests after a concussion, their brains were working differently than usual in order to get the job done. This, he says, shows that “that the brain is struggling much more than it normally would to complete the tasks.” The findings were published in the journal Brain Injury.
In addition to working memory, the participants’ ability to sustain attention and focus was also affected six months to 1 year after the injury.
by Publisher | Mar 1, 2012 | News Coverage, Print Coverage
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The National Football League and former Miami Dolphins star Nat Moore are calling on the Florida Senate to pass legislation that would require high school athletes to have medical clearance before they could return to competition after suffering a concussion.
The measure would also require coaches to remove any player from competition if there is suspicion the athlete has suffered a concussion. The legislation also has the backing of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
More than 30 states already have laws in place with restrictions on high school athletes who have suffered concussions. A bill to establish the legislation in Florida failed last year, but has unanimously passed the House this session and awaits Senate approval before going on to Gov. Rick Scott.
by Publisher | Feb 29, 2012 | News Coverage, Print Coverage
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Every year an estimated 140,000 high school athletes suffer concussions nationwide and too many of them are returning to play before they have recovered.
The Florida Legislature is moving to put tougher restrictions in place to prevent youth athletes from going back to their sport too soon because that can set them up for long-term brain troubles.
High school junior David Goldstein, who suffered three concussions playing soccer, is speaking in support of the bill along with the NFL and the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Goldstein sustained a serious concussion in a soccer game and he felt the effects for months: headaches, nausea, fatigue and depression. He returned to play too soon because he didn’t know any better, but now understands that was a big mistake.
“Even though I’d previously suffered two concussions I kept playing after my most recent concussion because I did not know the potentially devastating consequences of a second impact to my head. Second impact syndrome and multiple concussions can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.”
House bill sponsor Rep. Ronald Renuart, who’s also a doctor, says the human brain does not fully develop until people reach their late 20’s. He says injuries during the developmental years can impact a youth’s mood, social development and intelligence, and can limit someone’s potential.
He says for too long the issue of brain injuries has been treated too cavalierly.
“In the past, you’d get your bell rung, they’d drag you to the sidelines, they’d want to count some random fingers and you’re back in the game. Few realized how critical that situation was. Concussions, especially repeat concussions, can cause severe brain damage and in some cases can lead to death.”
The bill would require coaches to take an athlete out of a game or practice immediately following a head injury. The player could not return to competition until getting clearance from a doctor. The legislation would also apply to organized youth athletics at government-owned parks.
Parents and athletes would have to sign an informed consent form before they could play a sport.
“What this does is it informs our parents, it makes our youth sports safe again. Right now and for too long we have had that syndrome where you just say, ‘Shake it off. You’re fine. It’s just a bump on the head. Go ahead and get back in the game.’ Those days have to be over.”
The same bill died in the chaotic end to last year’s legislative session. Former Miami Dolphins receiver Nat Moore, now a V.P. with the Dolphins, is calling on lawmakers to finish the job this year.
“This legislation will help raise awareness and protect young athletes form the risk of concussions and other preventative brain injuries. For the kids’ sake, I urge lawmakers in this Senate to pass this legislation now and send it to the governor’s desk. We all know that the state of Florida is in the forefront of athletics and to not protect our resources is crazy.”
The Florida House has already passed the bill, but it’s waiting for final action in the Senate. Currently 31 states have passed similar laws that are intended to reduce concussions among youth athletes.
Written by: Dave Heller
by Publisher | Feb 27, 2012 | David's Blog
House Bill 291 was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives the week of February 20, a big step towards protecting the youth athletes of Florida. Senate Bill 256 hopefully will pass through the Budget Committee on Tuesday, February 28th. If so, it will move to the Senate Floor within the next week. I will be in speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Tallahassee together with the NFL about the dangers of concussions and the need to protect kids from them. I will also be meeting with Florida state legislators to promote the bill. I expect this trip to build momentum for the battle to come on the Senate Floor, one which I hope will result in a safer Florida for youth athletes.
by Publisher | Feb 15, 2012 | David's Blog
The youth concussion legislation that I have been supporting has been making progress through Florida legislative process. The bill has now passed through all of the Senate and House committees. I cannot express how strongly I want this essential legislation to be passed this year. We need to make sure that the youth athletes of Florida are better protected from concussions. As the devastating consequences of concussions continue to gain headlines, exemplified by the hundreds of former NFL players suing the league because of the struggles they endure due to brain injuries stemming from their playing days, it becomes increasingly obvious that we need to protect kids from these potential dangers. The goal of the legislation is to do just that, and I hope to provide news of its further success in the near future.
