WASHINGTON, D.C. – New legislation to set minimum safety standards for concussion management in public schools across the country would help protect student athletes, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today. At the hearing, the National Football League (NFL) endorsed the legislation in a letter to U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, noting, “The NFL is grateful for the opportunity to work closely with you in developing this important legislation which will further our shared goals of increasing concussion awareness and preventing these injuries among our youngest athletes, not only in football but in all sports.”
“When a student athlete suffers a concussion, he or she needs support on the field and support in the classroom to ensure a full recovery. Unfortunately, the pressure to play too often outweighs a student athlete’s safety concerns. Thankfully, there is a growing movement among players, coaches, parents and professional athletes to change this old way of thinking,” said Miller, co-sponsor of the concussions legislation. “The legislation we introduced this week recognizes that sports are deeply ingrained in our communities and our culture which is why the safety and well-being of student athletes have to be the top priority.”
“Concussions are an unfortunate reality of all sports at all levels of competition,” said Congressman Tim Bishop. “Providing athletes, parents, coaches and teachers with the tools to properly diagnose and treat concussions will make sports safer and ensure student athletes are performing at their best in the classroom and on the field.”
The legislation, the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act, is modeled after recent state action in Washington, Oregon, and other states that have passed laws to help reduce the risk of concussions in youth sports. It would, for the first time, make sports safer for student athletes by asking school districts to implement a concussion safety and management plan.
The plan that school districts develop must educate students, parents, and school personnel about concussion safety and how to support students recovering from concussions.
It would require schools to post information about concussions on school grounds and on school websites. It would also support “when in doubt, sit it out” policies for students suspected of sustaining a concussion during a school-sponsored athletic activity.
Witnesses discussed the importance of focusing on the student, as well as the student athlete.
“The consequences of a concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury, can be significant for the academic learning and performance of the student learning,” said Gerard Gioia, Ph.D., Director of Neuropsychology at the Children’s National Medical Center. “The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act places the focus directly on the student side of the student athlete equation. This bill focuses on what schools can do to support the academic return of the injured/recovering student.”
Nearly 90 percent of students report significant worsening of post-concussion symptoms when they attempt school tasks, according to Dr. Gioia’s research.
Alison Conca-Cheng, a senior soccer player from Centennial High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, discussed how her recent concussion on August 20, has affected her academic performance.
“About 45 minutes into my hour-long class periods, my concentration would be completely gone and I would develop a splitting headache. This has been a big problem for me, as I am taking five Advanced Placement classes,” said Conca-Cheng. “Reading textbooks and articles for homework was particularly difficult. It would take me twice as long, and it would be a constant battle with my concentration.”
Concussions cause a spectrum of symptoms, commonly including altered mental status, physical symptoms, cognitive problems and difficulty sleeping. The number, type and duration of symptoms vary widely for each person. In comparison to older athletes, symptoms are intensified and recovery is prolonged for youth.
Without proper identification, multiple concussions can lead to chronic diseases.
In April of 2010, Owen Thomas, a 21-year-old lineman for the University of Pennsylvania who began playing football at age nine, committed suicide. Owen’s autopsy revealed early stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease linked to depression and impulse control prevalent in National Football League (NFL) players who have also committed suicide over the last 10 years. Owen was never diagnosed with concussion, but the only cause of CTE is repetitive brain injury. Owen’s family was unaware of the dangers of concussion.
“Owen was the funniest, most dynamic person you could ever want to meet. If he had not developed CTE, he would have grown up to be a wonderful contributing citizen,” said Rev. Katherine Brearley, Ph.D., Owen Thomas’ mother. “In speaking out about Owen’s brain disease, it is my hope that parents and coaches will unite to improve the safety of younger players, so football can continue to be a powerful and exciting sport that unites families and communities all across the United States.”
Research shows that youth athletes can fully recover within seven days, but overexertion from physical and cognitive activities exacerbates symptoms and protracts recovery time. Studies estimate that over 40 percent of high school athletes return to play too soon. The “when in doubt, sit it out” philosophy helps prevent further injury by asking players who may have suffered concussions to sit out.
“Playing through a concussion is no longer a badge of honor, it’s reckless,” said Sean Morey, former NFL athlete and executive board member with the NFL Players Association. “Reporting our concussion is not a sign of weakness, it’s a responsibility we share to advocate for our own health and safety.”
In addition to recent state action, nationwide organizations are ramping up efforts to improve concussion safety. The NFL has taken steps to reduce the risk of concussions on the professional level and in youth sports.
“The ‘Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act’ is a significant step forward in the campaign to protect our kids,” Stanley Herring, M.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Education and Advocacy of the Head, Neck and Spine Committee of the NFL, and Team Physician for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. “As more has become known about the dangers of head injuries, the NFL has become the leader on concussions not just for the safety of its own players, but for all athletes at all levels of football as well as all other sports. I see them every day – boys and girls, soccer, basketball and lacrosse players – young athletes who have endured concussions. Those children can recover and play again if they receive proper treatment.”
For more information on the bill, click here.
“Concussions are an unfortunate reality of all sports at all levels of competition,” said Congressman Tim Bishop. “Providing athletes, parents, coaches and teachers with the tools to properly diagnose and treat concussions will make sports safer and ensure student athletes are performing at their best in the classroom and on the field.”
The legislation, the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act, is modeled after recent state action in Washington, Oregon, and other states that have passed laws to help reduce the risk of concussions in youth sports. It would, for the first time, make sports safer for student athletes by asking school districts to implement a concussion safety and management plan.
The plan that school districts develop must educate students, parents, and school personnel about concussion safety and how to support students recovering from concussions.
It would require schools to post information about concussions on school grounds and on school websites. It would also support “when in doubt, sit it out” policies for students suspected of sustaining a concussion during a school-sponsored athletic activity.
Witnesses discussed the importance of focusing on the student, as well as the student athlete.
“The consequences of a concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury, can be significant for the academic learning and performance of the student learning,” said Gerard Gioia, Ph.D., Director of Neuropsychology at the Children’s National Medical Center. “The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act places the focus directly on the student side of the student athlete equation. This bill focuses on what schools can do to support the academic return of the injured/recovering student.”
Nearly 90 percent of students report significant worsening of post-concussion symptoms when they attempt school tasks, according to Dr. Gioia’s research.
Alison Conca-Cheng, a senior soccer player from Centennial High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, discussed how her recent concussion on August 20, has affected her academic performance.
“About 45 minutes into my hour-long class periods, my concentration would be completely gone and I would develop a splitting headache. This has been a big problem for me, as I am taking five Advanced Placement classes,” said Conca-Cheng. “Reading textbooks and articles for homework was particularly difficult. It would take me twice as long, and it would be a constant battle with my concentration.”
Concussions cause a spectrum of symptoms, commonly including altered mental status, physical symptoms, cognitive problems and difficulty sleeping. The number, type and duration of symptoms vary widely for each person. In comparison to older athletes, symptoms are intensified and recovery is prolonged for youth.
Without proper identification, multiple concussions can lead to chronic diseases.
In April of 2010, Owen Thomas, a 21-year-old lineman for the University of Pennsylvania who began playing football at age nine, committed suicide. Owen’s autopsy revealed early stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease linked to depression and impulse control prevalent in National Football League (NFL) players who have also committed suicide over the last 10 years. Owen was never diagnosed with concussion, but the only cause of CTE is repetitive brain injury. Owen’s family was unaware of the dangers of concussion.
“Owen was the funniest, most dynamic person you could ever want to meet. If he had not developed CTE, he would have grown up to be a wonderful contributing citizen,” said Rev. Katherine Brearley, Ph.D., Owen Thomas’ mother. “In speaking out about Owen’s brain disease, it is my hope that parents and coaches will unite to improve the safety of younger players, so football can continue to be a powerful and exciting sport that unites families and communities all across the United States.”
Research shows that youth athletes can fully recover within seven days, but overexertion from physical and cognitive activities exacerbates symptoms and protracts recovery time. Studies estimate that over 40 percent of high school athletes return to play too soon. The “when in doubt, sit it out” philosophy helps prevent further injury by asking players who may have suffered concussions to sit out.
“Playing through a concussion is no longer a badge of honor, it’s reckless,” said Sean Morey, former NFL athlete and executive board member with the NFL Players Association. “Reporting our concussion is not a sign of weakness, it’s a responsibility we share to advocate for our own health and safety.”
In addition to recent state action, nationwide organizations are ramping up efforts to improve concussion safety. The NFL has taken steps to reduce the risk of concussions on the professional level and in youth sports.
“The ‘Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act’ is a significant step forward in the campaign to protect our kids,” Stanley Herring, M.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Education and Advocacy of the Head, Neck and Spine Committee of the NFL, and Team Physician for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. “As more has become known about the dangers of head injuries, the NFL has become the leader on concussions not just for the safety of its own players, but for all athletes at all levels of football as well as all other sports. I see them every day – boys and girls, soccer, basketball and lacrosse players – young athletes who have endured concussions. Those children can recover and play again if they receive proper treatment.”
For more information on the bill, click here.
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