A collaboration between the Australian Institute of Sport, Australasian College of Sport & Exercise Physicians,
Sports Medicine Australia and Australian Physiotherapy Association
Aligned with the UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport and NZ Government Accident Care Commission
Here is the full document: Concussion-Guidelines-for-community-and-youth-FA-acc-v2
There has been growing concern in sporting communities about the potential health ramifications for athletes from repeated head trauma (RHT) and sport-related concussion (referred to as concussion here on).
Concussion affects athletes at all levels of sport, from the part-time recreational athlete to the full-time professional.
If managed appropriately, most episodes of concussion resolve over a short period of time, with or without medical intervention. Complications can occur, however, including prolonged duration of symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative pathology associated with a history of RHT. There are a growing number of case studies and case series which document CTE neuropathological change (CTE-NC) in retired athletes with a history of RHT.
What is concussion?
Concussion is a brain injury resulting in a disturbance of brain function. It affects the way a person thinks, feels and remembers things. Concussion can affect an individual in a variety of ways,
What causes concussion?
A concussion occurs through a collision with another person or object where biomechanical forces to the head,
or anywhere on the body transmit an impulsive force to the head/brain. In most cases, this results in transient
neurological impairment. It should be noted that concussion can also occur with relatively minor ‘knocks’.
How to Recognise Concussion
The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6) may be used as an aid to the on field recognition of concussion (see additional links section on page 12). If any of the following visible clues (signs) or symptoms are present following an injury, the individual should be assumed to have concussion and must be immediately removed from play or training and must not return to activity that day.
The CRT6 is a simplified summary of the key signs and symptoms and ‘red flags’ that should raise a concern about a possible concussion. 20 symptoms listed in the CRT6 are:
> Headache
> “Pressure in head”
> Balance problems
> Nausea or vomiting
> Drowsiness
> Dizziness
> Blurred vision
> Sensitivity to light
> Sensitivity to noise
> Fatigue or low energy
> “Don’t feel right”
> More emotional
> More irritable
> Sadness
> Nervous or anxious
> Neck pain
> Difficulty concentrating
> Difficulty remembering
> Feeling slowed down
> Feeling like “in a fog
Read the full document and information here: Concussion-Guidelines-for-community-and-youth-FA-acc-v2
