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National poll on concussions finds low awareness, high concern among parents of young athletes
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Only 8% of parents have “read or heard a lot” about the risks of repeat concussions in school sports, while 36% of parents knew nothing about the topic, according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Nation Poll on Children’s Health.
Despite the low level of awareness, nearly two-thirds of parents said they were “worried” about concussions, with 18% indicating they were “very worried.”
The poll, conducted in May 2010 in the United States, included 291 parents of athletes aged 12 to 17 years. The sample was weighted to reflect population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, according to a press release announcing the poll results.
Long-term neurologic symptoms
Recent studies have found young athletes are more likely to sustain concussions and take longer to recover. If a second concussion is sustained before the first one heals, there is a great likelihood of long-term neurologic symptoms, the release said.
Still, the poll found that 62% of parents knew of a parent who would let their child return to sports too soon after a concussion, and 50% of parents knew of a coach who would make the same mistake.
“These figures are not surprising to those who work in youth sports,” said Sarah J. Clark, MPH, associate director of the poll, in the release. “However, the latest research makes it clear that early return to play after a concussion is very risky.”
Creating awareness, policies
As a result of awareness-building campaigns across the country, some schools have enacted concussion policies, according to the release. These policies typically require education for coaches, the removal of any player with a concussion, and a thorough review by a health care professional before the player returns to the field. But not all policies include parent education, which Clark views as a problem.
“Parent involvement in guarding against repeat concussions is critical. Most concussions do not result in loss of consciousness, and symptoms may not occur until several hours after the injury. If young athletes are afraid of losing playing time, they may not be honest with the coach or trainer about their symptoms,” Clark said in the release.
Meanwhile, many schools have no concussion policy at all, according to the poll. For example, 84% of parents said schools should require athletes to be cleared by a doctor after a concussion, but only 36% could confirm if their child’s school had a specific policy on returning to games after a concussion.
Mandatory nonparticipation
Most parents also supported requiring coaches to receive information on concussion risks, and a mandatory period of nonparticipation following a concussion.
A total of 85% of parents believed a coach or certified trainer would handle a concussion properly, and 67% said certified trainers or other health professionals should be onsite during games and practices. Yet only 52% of parents confirmed a certified trainer was onsite during their kids’ games, and only 38% said a trainer was present at practices, according to the poll.
Parents disagreed on how schools should pay for certified trainers: 43% indicated the general school budget, 28% said team fundraising or fees, 20% deferred to the state or federal government, and 9% said health professionals should volunteer their time.
