Concussion and the Student-Athlete: Considerations for the Secondary School Setting

Abstract

The number of high school students who participate in athletics has increased over the past decade. There has also been an increased emphasis placed on athletic involvement and physical strength and ability. This has led to increased awareness of athletic injuries such as concussions. While concussions are not a new injury, the medical community has revisited how they evaluate and manage concussions, leading to new guidelines and protocols for states, districts, and schools. Concussions can occur in nearly any sport and can affect each student-athlete differently both physically and cognitively. Without a set time-frame for a recovery, school personnel must have an understanding of the medical treatment and how that can be applied to academics. The main goal of this article is to aide coaches, teachers, administrators and health professionals in developing a concussion protocol for their school or district based on current best practice guidelines. All concussions are different and require a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the student-athlete's safety and well-being are appropriately handled.