Concussions: Are contact sports safe for kids?

Concussions among athletes are big news these days.

There’s so much information and concern surrounding the topic, parents may have a hard time digesting it all and deciding whether their kids should participate in sports.

Dr. Brian Kim, a UCI Health family medicine physician who specializes in sports medicine and injury, has worked with athletes of all ages and across many sports.

As someone with extensive experience treating children with concussions, he sorts out the issues to help educate parents.

First, parents need to understand what a concussion is.

“A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body that results in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain,” Kim explains.

That sudden jolt or movement can cause the brain to bounce or twist inside the skull.

What are the signs of concussion?

“Because the brain is so complex, concussion symptoms can vary widely from person to person — even from one concussion to the next in the same person," Kim says. "No two concussions are exactly alike.”

Athletic trainers and physicians use a long checklist of symptoms when evaluating athletes for concussions, but the most common ones include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise
• Feeling “foggy” or having difficulty thinking
• Blurry vision or problems with visual tracking
• Fatigue

What if a concussion is suspected?

Any time a concussion is suspected, the athlete should be removed from play until they can be evaluated by a trained medical professional, Kim says.

If a medical professional diagnoses a concussion — and has ruled out more severe neurologic injury — resting the injured brain is the initial step in recovery, Kim says.

That means getting plenty of restful sleep and avoiding intellectually or physically stimulating activity.
It’s a myth that falling asleep after concussion can lead to coma or death.

Recent research

In the past, athletes were told to rest completely until all symptoms went away. However, recent research has shown that resuming light physical activity early in the recovery process can help with healing.

“Now, we recommend beginning light aerobic exercise, such as walking or using a stationary bike, as early as two to three days after the injury, unless the activity makes symptoms worse,” Kim says.

It’s important to follow a gradual "return-to-play" plan, one that slowly increases activity levels to give the brain time to fully heal, he notes.

Mental activity also puts stress on the brain, so some students may benefit from a personalized "return-to-learn" plan. This could include asking for extra time for assignments or breaks during the school day to help manage symptoms and support recovery.

Long-term effects of a concussion

News stories have largely focused on the professional athletes in football, hockey and boxing who have developed neurological or psychological impairments later in life after repeated concussions in their careers.

Not everyone who experiences a concussion will develop long-term consequences. 

“A causal link is not as clear as some make it out to be,” Kim says. “While it makes sense that repeated trauma will create long-term damage, the evidence is mixed when you compare the studies.”

Most people recover from concussion symptoms within a few days. But if recovery takes more than a month, he recommends seeing a physician who specializes in concussion care for a deeper look.

Protecting the brain

Helmets can help reduce some traumatic brain and other injuries, such as fractures and damage to the eyes.

They work by distributing the force of an impact around the skull. But they do not entirely prevent a concussion, which occurs when a jarring motion slams the brain against the skull bone.

The best protection, Kim says, is making sure the child:

• Receives sufficient training
• Wears appropriate gear for the specific sport
• Knows the sporting activity's player safety rules.

Should children participate in sports?

Yes, says Kim. The devastating health consequences of obesity should inspire parents to nurture their children’s interests in physical activity and sports, regardless of type.

While there is no such thing as an injury-free sport, some do have higher rates of injuries. Concussions are most common in contact sports like football, hockey, soccer and lacrosse.

In soccer and basketball, female athletes have higher rates of concussion than males.

“That said, rates of concussions and other significant brain injuries in any sport below the college level are very low compared to rates at the college, professional and elite levels,” Kim says.

More important, he says, multiple studies have shown that adolescents who participate in competitive sports enjoy many benefits beyond better physical health.

“They have higher self-esteem, higher grades, lower risk of eating disorders, lower risk of depression, lower teen pregnancy rates and, for those in team sports, improved social interactions in other parts of their lives."

Kim sees patients at UCI Health Family Medicine Services. Make an appointment by calling 714-456-7016