Safety protocol being developed to aid youth at risk for sports concussions

Young athletes at risk for concussions may soon benefit from a protocol being developed at the University of Denver, which focuses on education, removal from play following a suspected concussion and obtaining medical clearance to return to play.

The policy being developed by the Colorado Youth Sports Concussion Special Interest Group in conjunction with the Colorado High School Activities Association will reflect the following three principles:

education for onsite personnel.
removal from play for participants with suspected concussions.
medical clearance for return to participation, including a gradual return to activity.

Parents and coaches should always keep the risks for concussion in mind, particularly until the new protocol is in place, Kim Gorgens, PhD, an assistant professor and neuropsychologist at the University of Denver and member of the Colorado Youth Sports Concussion Special Interest Group stated in a University of Denver press release.

Gorgens urged parents to be informed about risks their children may face while playing sports where they may encounter tough hits. Parents should also be familiar with the tools available to mitigate these risks, she noted.

“Ask about the training required of field personnel and the availability of protective equipment,” Gorgens stated in the release. “Support fundraisers for new protective gear and make sure your kids wear it. Preventing the first injury is the only protection we have.”

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 134,959 youth sports-related concussions annually result in U.S. emergency department (ED) visits. However, that number may underestimate the total incidence of youth sports concussions since many of them are evaluated in a non-ED setting or are either unreported or undocumented, according to the release.

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