WASHINGTON, D.C. – Promoting community involvement and engagement about concussion management can help protect youth athletes from the risks of concussion both on the athletic field and in the classroom, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee’s Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. The hearing highlighted best practices for educating schools, parents, and young people about the risk of concussions, protocols for avoiding head injury and procedures for safe care after such injuries.
“The risk of concussions for millions of the nation’s young people who play high school sports has received too little attention,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. “We must change the 'warrior mentality' culture that discourages immediate treatment, and I look forward to working with Chairman Miller, Rep. Bishop and my colleagues on how we can address this issue.”
“The risk of concussions for millions of the nation’s young people who play high school sports has received too little attention,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities. “We must change the 'warrior mentality' culture that discourages immediate treatment, and I look forward to working with Chairman Miller, Rep. Bishop and my colleagues on how we can address this issue.”
“Concussions are an unfortunate reality of competitive athletics,” said
U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY). “But raising awareness of concussions among
student athletes, coaches and teachers will make sports safer and
improve classroom performance.”
High school athletes are more prone to sport-related concussions than their collegiate or professional counterparts. Surveys suggest that the prevalence of sports related concussions is much higher than reported and occurrence is highest at the high school level.
Witnesses discussed the need for comprehensive standards among all schools to ensure student health and protection.
“It is absolutely essential that there be a comprehensive concussion program established in all high schools, as well as youth sports,” said Dr. Hayley Queller, a primary care sports medicine physician. “Without such a program, we are putting our youth at risk of experiencing long-lasting emotional, physiological and academic deficits. To ensure that such programs are created, the first step is community-wide education. Injury prevention, early identification and appropriate management are the principal components to ensure the safe return of our high school athletes back to their sports activities.”
Studies estimate that over 40 percent of high school athletes return to play too soon.
“As an athletic trainer, it is my obligation to pay attention to every play of every game so I may be able to see an injury happen and know the severity,” said Craig LoNigro, the athletic trainer at Comsewogue High School. “It is my job to convince the athlete, his/her parents and the coaching staff that if action is not taken quickly, we could be dealing with a much bigger issue than losing a game.”
According to recent research, 400,000 concussions occurred in high school athletics in the 2008-2009 school year. Concussions account for ten percent of all injuries sustained by high school athletes, 60 percent of which occur in football. While the incident rate is highest among high school football players, girls seem more susceptible to concussions, according to the Journal of Athletic Training.
“I believe we need to do a better job advocating for the athlete and it starts with educating every party involved – parents, coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, school nurses and the athletes themselves,” said Caitlin Monaghan, a former high school student athlete from Garden City, New York, who suffered several concussions while playing for her high school’s soccer and basketball teams. “The symptoms, dangers and steps to take when a concussion occurs need to be clearly outlined including regulations concerning return to play.”
Witnesses also discussed concussion management among professional athletes. The National Football League (NFL) has recently taken steps to reduce the risk of concussions both in the professional league as well as in youth sports.
“Participation in athletics teaches our children essential life lessons,” said Rich Caster, former football player for the New York Jets. “As we learn more about the dangers of head injuries, the NFL has chosen to 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 other sports.”
In high school, communities have taken unique approaches to improve concussion management for their youth, including basic steps such as educating the students, parents and school personnel about concussions, removing the student from play when a concussion is suspected and providing students recovering from concussions an individualized plan for returning to school activities.
As part of their campaign, the NFL has started putting posters with information about concussion symptoms in every locker room. Witnesses testified that similar practices in schools would help spur education and communication, and support youth athletes.
“Football is truly an amazing sport,” said Courtney Hall, former football player for the San Diego Chargers.” But no sport should unduly endanger the lives of its participants. With more research into ways to protect players, all of us – players, coaches and fans – can continue to enjoy this game for years to come.”
More information, including witness testimony, on this hearing
High school athletes are more prone to sport-related concussions than their collegiate or professional counterparts. Surveys suggest that the prevalence of sports related concussions is much higher than reported and occurrence is highest at the high school level.
Witnesses discussed the need for comprehensive standards among all schools to ensure student health and protection.
“It is absolutely essential that there be a comprehensive concussion program established in all high schools, as well as youth sports,” said Dr. Hayley Queller, a primary care sports medicine physician. “Without such a program, we are putting our youth at risk of experiencing long-lasting emotional, physiological and academic deficits. To ensure that such programs are created, the first step is community-wide education. Injury prevention, early identification and appropriate management are the principal components to ensure the safe return of our high school athletes back to their sports activities.”
Studies estimate that over 40 percent of high school athletes return to play too soon.
“As an athletic trainer, it is my obligation to pay attention to every play of every game so I may be able to see an injury happen and know the severity,” said Craig LoNigro, the athletic trainer at Comsewogue High School. “It is my job to convince the athlete, his/her parents and the coaching staff that if action is not taken quickly, we could be dealing with a much bigger issue than losing a game.”
According to recent research, 400,000 concussions occurred in high school athletics in the 2008-2009 school year. Concussions account for ten percent of all injuries sustained by high school athletes, 60 percent of which occur in football. While the incident rate is highest among high school football players, girls seem more susceptible to concussions, according to the Journal of Athletic Training.
“I believe we need to do a better job advocating for the athlete and it starts with educating every party involved – parents, coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, school nurses and the athletes themselves,” said Caitlin Monaghan, a former high school student athlete from Garden City, New York, who suffered several concussions while playing for her high school’s soccer and basketball teams. “The symptoms, dangers and steps to take when a concussion occurs need to be clearly outlined including regulations concerning return to play.”
Witnesses also discussed concussion management among professional athletes. The National Football League (NFL) has recently taken steps to reduce the risk of concussions both in the professional league as well as in youth sports.
“Participation in athletics teaches our children essential life lessons,” said Rich Caster, former football player for the New York Jets. “As we learn more about the dangers of head injuries, the NFL has chosen to 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 other sports.”
In high school, communities have taken unique approaches to improve concussion management for their youth, including basic steps such as educating the students, parents and school personnel about concussions, removing the student from play when a concussion is suspected and providing students recovering from concussions an individualized plan for returning to school activities.
As part of their campaign, the NFL has started putting posters with information about concussion symptoms in every locker room. Witnesses testified that similar practices in schools would help spur education and communication, and support youth athletes.
“Football is truly an amazing sport,” said Courtney Hall, former football player for the San Diego Chargers.” But no sport should unduly endanger the lives of its participants. With more research into ways to protect players, all of us – players, coaches and fans – can continue to enjoy this game for years to come.”
More information, including witness testimony, on this hearing
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