Sports Concussion Education Campaign Being Developed By National Athletic Trainers' Asociation And National Academy Of Neuropsychology

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 21 Oct 2007 - 9:00 PDT

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The National Football League, National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Player's Association have agreed to sponsor an educational program on sports concussions developed by the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Consisting of a series of educational DVDs, this program is targeted to amateur and professional players, parents, physicians and coaches, and will provide information on how to recognize concussive injuries, seek proper evaluation, and follow appropriate return to play guidelines.

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 300,000 brain injuries occur in sports each year. Of these reported concussions, an estimated 63,000 occur among high school athletes. Even though these numbers alone suggest that concussions represent a significant public health concern, it is likely that many athletes with concussions fail to report their symptoms to medical personnel. These educational DVDs will increase awareness of this injury while promoting scientifically sound management guidelines that will help minimize the negative effects of traumatic brain injury.

"Often, brain injuries initially go unrecognized," said NATA president Chuck Kimmel, ATC. "The goal of this program is to educate individuals on the importance of rapid recognition and treatment of concussions and to ensure the athlete is ready to return to play."

"While we have excellent medical care and resources for managing injuries at the professional level, most high school and even college programs don't have those resources," says Dr. Ruben Echemendia, director of the NHL's Neuropsychological Testing Program and president-elect of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. "We need to get education and greater resources into their hands."

About the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA):

Athletic trainers are unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 30,000 members of the athletic training profession through education and research. NATA advocates for equal access to athletic trainers for athletes and patients of all ages, and supports H.R. 1846.

http://www.nata.org