A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Concussions in Kids and Teens

Concussions are among the most common injuries faced by young athletes, particularly those involved in contact sports like soccer and football. Understanding the risks and implementing preventive measures can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of concussions. Here are some key points and strategies for concussion prevention in young athletes.

Is Your Athlete at Risk for Concussion?

Concussions result from a hard hit to or near the head, causing the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. While children of all ages are at risk, young athletes in soccer and football are particularly vulnerable.

• Football: Concussions often result from helmet-to-helmet contact, improper tackling, falls, and running plays.
• Soccer: Concussions can be caused by improper heading techniques, head-to-head or arm-to-head contact, and collisions or kicks to the head.

How Can You Keep Athletes Concussion-Free?

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk of concussions, several steps can help minimize head injuries and ensure quick and appropriate responses if they occur:

1. Encourage Open Communication:
• Athletes should feel comfortable reporting symptoms or concerns about potential concussions to parents, coaches, or medical professionals.
2. Increase Awareness:
• Educating athletes, parents, and coaches about concussion symptoms and risks can lead to better prevention and management. Subtle injuries often go unnoticed, so awareness is crucial.

Preventing Concussions in Football

Football is a high-impact sport with a higher risk of concussions. Here are some prevention strategies:

• Proper Equipment:
• Ensure all safety and protective equipment, especially helmets, fit properly and are in good condition.
• Tackling Techniques:
• Teach and enforce proper heads-up tackling techniques. Avoid unnecessary helmet-to-helmet contact.
• Safe Play:
• Enforce rules of safe play and sportsmanship. Coaches and referees should remove any player suspected of having a concussion for evaluation.
• Legislation:
• Familiarize yourself with state laws designed to improve concussion prevention and treatment in youth sports.

Preventing Concussions in Soccer

Recent guidelines from U.S. Soccer aim to reduce concussions in young players:

• Heading Restrictions:
• Children under 10 should not head the ball during practice or games. Athletes aged 11 to 13 should only practice heading, not during games.
• Proper Heading Techniques:
• Teach players to lead with their trunk, use the core muscles, communicate clearly, and watch the ball at all times. Contact should be made with the “sweet spot” of the forehead.

General Prevention Strategies for All Sports

Concussions can happen in any sport, so it's important to follow these general prevention tips:

• Avoid Collisions:
• Prevent head-to-head, arm-to-head, or foot-to-head collisions.
• Use Protective Equipment:
• Ensure helmets, padding, shin guards, and mouth guards fit well and are properly maintained.
• Enforce Rules:
• Coaches and referees should strictly enforce fair play and sportsmanship.
• Evaluate Head Injuries:
• If a head injury occurs, remove the child from the game and have them evaluated by a physician.

Are Younger Kids at Risk for Concussion?

Younger children, including babies and toddlers, are also at risk for concussions from falls or bumps. Parents should recognize the signs of concussion and take preventive measures:

• Home Safety:
• Don’t allow older children to carry babies. Avoid leaving babies on elevated surfaces. Secure furniture to prevent tipping.
• Use Safety Devices:
• Use safety straps on changing tables, grocery carts, and high chairs. Install safety gates at stairs and use approved car seats.
• Playground Safety:
• Ensure playgrounds have shock-absorbing surfaces like hardwood mulch or sand.

Helmets and Concussion Prevention

Helmets provide an added layer of protection but are not foolproof. They help reduce the severity of brain injuries during high-risk activities such as:

• Biking, motorcycling, snowmobiling, scootering, and ATV riding.
• Contact sports like football, ice hockey, and boxing.
• Inline skating, skateboarding, baseball, softball, horseback riding, skiing, and snowboarding.

Recognizing and Responding to Concussions

If your child experiences a hit to the head, monitor them for signs of concussion, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory problems, and changes in behavior. Consult a doctor if you observe any symptoms. Prompt and appropriate management is crucial for recovery.

Conclusion

Concussion prevention requires a proactive approach from parents, coaches, and athletes. By understanding the risks and implementing the recommended strategies, you can help keep young athletes safe. For more detailed information and guidance on concussion management, consider exploring Concussion Rescue, a course offered by Amen University. This course provides valuable insights and strategies to effectively manage and recover from concussions, ensuring a safer and healthier future for young athletes.