Introduction
Football Concussions
Head injuries are a common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Head injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the incident and the extent of any damage to the brain. Signs and symptoms of a head injury include bruises and bleeding, confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, slurred speech, loss of balance and coordination, and coma.
Common Types of Concussions
Impact Concussion
- Caused by a direct blow to the head (e.g., helmet-to-helmet or ground impact)
- Often occurs during tackles, blocking, or diving plays.
- Symptoms include headache, dizziness, confusion, and light sensitivity.
- Requires immediate removal from play and medical assessment.
Rotational Concussion
- Occurs when the head is hit at an angle, causing the brain to rotate inside the skull.
- Common in blindside hits or open-field tackles.
- Can cause nausea, blurred vision, and balance issues.
- Harder to detect, but may result in more prolonged recovery.
Impact Syndrome
- Happens when a second concussion occurs before the first one has fully healed.
- Most dangerous in younger athletes
- Can cause rapid brain swelling and be fatal.
- Emphasizes the importance of proper return-to-play protocols.
Cumulative Concussions
- Result from repeated mild head impacts over time.
- Long-term effects include memory loss, depression, and CTE.
- Often go unnoticed until serious symptoms appear.
- Managing player history is key for prevention.
Symptoms to Watch For
Early detection and treatment are critical to prevent long-term damage.
Physical: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, balance issues, blurred/double vision, sensitivity to light or sound
Cognitive: Confusion, feeling “in a fog,” memory problems, difficulty concentrating
Emotional/Sleep: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, abnormal sleep patterns
Impact on Player Performance
Concussions in football are traumatic brain injuries caused by blows to the head or violent shaking of the head and body. They are common during tackles, collisions, and falls. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and sensitivity to light or noise.
Recovery & Return Timelines
|
Injury Type
|
Typical Recovery Time
|
|---|---|
|
Impact Concussion
|
4 weeks to several months
|
|
Rotational Concussion
|
|
|
Impact Syndrome
|
|
How We Track Concussions
Our reporting team monitors:
Immediate checks by trainers or neuro spotters after a hit, including symptom questions and coordination tests.
Players enter structured monitoring, including daily symptom tracking, rest, and gradual activity reintroduction.
Baseline and post-injury tests (e.g., ImPACT) measure memory, reaction time, and attention.
MRI or CT scans may be used to rule out more serious injuries like brain bleeds.
This helps us provide timely and accurate updates on a player’s status and expected return.