When it comes to contact sports at the junior and senior levels, concussions are an unfortunate reality. However, new research conducted by sports experts at the University of South Australia suggests that young athletes who suffer from head injuries may require extended recovery times. This is because the study shows that a concussion can increase the risk of future injury by 50%.
The findings of this study were published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, marking the world’s first study to track and assess the long-term impact of concussions and subsequent injury risk. The research focused on 1,455 sub-elite junior Australian rules football players. This study builds on previous research conducted by UniSA, which found that sub-elite Australian rules football players who returned from injury faced a 1.5-fold increased risk of getting injured again compared to those without previous injuries.
Over a seven-season period, the researchers tracked injuries and found that soccer players who sustained a concussion were 1.5 times more likely to experience future reinjury compared to players who never suffered a concussion. This increased risk was comparable to players returning from upper and lower extremity injuries.
These findings are timely, considering the upcoming Australian Senate report on concussion injuries and the recent announcement by the AFL (Australian Football League) of a $25 million study into the long-term effects of concussions and blows to the head. In the AFL, concussions are one of the most common injuries, averaging six concussions every 1,000 hours played and involving approximately 70 to 80 male players each year.
The concussion guidelines in elite junior soccer, AFL, and AFLW state that players can only return to play after a minimum of 12 days following gradual progression through a return-to-play program. However, lead researcher Dr. Hunter Bennett suggests that this recommended recovery period may not be sufficient for elite 18-and-under soccer players. The significant and elevated risk of reinjury after a concussion indicates that some players may require a longer recovery time before they can safely return to playing.
Furthermore, Dr. Bennett highlights the need for further evaluation of the physical qualities affected by concussions before an athlete is cleared to return to their sport. Concussions in Australian rules football can lead to issues with balance, coordination, reaction time, and decision-making, which can increase the risk of other injuries if an athlete returns to play before making a full recovery.
According to a recent consensus statement on concussions in sports, children and adolescents can take up to four weeks to fully recover from a sports-related concussion. This highlights the unique nature of concussions as an injury that affects aspects of motor control without causing damage to muscle tissue.
Recurring injuries resulting from premature return to play can have significant impacts on team success, player health, and career longevity. In elite sports, young athletes may feel the pressure to quickly recover and return to the game, fearing that missing games could harm their chances of being drafted or competing at a senior level. However, knowing that athletes are at an increased risk of reinjury after a concussion emphasizes the importance of careful and unique rehabilitation strategies to ensure a full recovery before resuming play.
Looking ahead, the researchers emphasize the need for future studies to identify optimal rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies specifically for athletes who sustain concussions. This will help establish guidelines and protocols that ensure athletes can safely return to play without compromising their long-term health.
In summary, the study conducted by sports experts at the University of South Australia highlights the increased risk of future injury that young athletes face after suffering a concussion. These findings suggest that extended recovery times may be necessary for athletes to fully recover before returning to their sport. The research calls for careful evaluation and rehabilitation strategies to minimize the risk of reinjury and protect the long-term well-being of athletes.
Additional Piece:
Concussions in contact sports have been a topic of increasing concern in recent years, with growing evidence of their long-term effects on athletes’ health. While much attention has been given to professional players in leagues like the NFL and NHL, it is crucial to recognize that concussions also affect young athletes at the junior and senior levels.
The study conducted by the University of South Australia sheds light on the need for extended recovery times for young athletes after a concussion. This research highlights the significant risk of future injury that concussed athletes face, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing their long-term well-being. Repeated concussions can have devastating consequences, leading to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
This study’s findings should serve as a wake-up call for sports organizations, coaches, parents, and athletes themselves. It is crucial to prioritize player safety and ensure that proper protocols and guidelines are in place to protect young athletes from the potentially devastating consequences of concussions. This includes implementing comprehensive return-to-play programs that allow for sufficient recovery time and thorough evaluation of an athlete’s physical and cognitive abilities before clearing them to return to their sport.
Furthermore, this research underscores the need for ongoing education and awareness about concussions and their associated risks. Coaches, parents, and athletes should be well-informed about the signs and symptoms of concussions and the potential consequences of playing through an injury. By fostering a culture of safety and prioritizing the long-term health of athletes, we can create an environment where concussions are taken seriously, and athletes are supported in their recovery and rehabilitation processes.
In conclusion, the study conducted by the University of South Australia highlights the increased risk of future injury following a concussion in young athletes. It calls for extended recovery times and careful evaluation before athletes are allowed to return to play. This research serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of player safety and the need for comprehensive protocols and guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with concussions. By prioritizing the long-term well-being of young athletes, we can ensure that they can enjoy their chosen sports while minimizing the potential consequences of head injuries.
—————————————————-
| Article | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Artful Impressions | Premiere Etsy Store |
| Sponsored Content | View |
| 90’s Rock Band Review | View |
| Ted Lasso’s MacBook Guide | View |
| Nature’s Secret to More Energy | View |
| Ancient Recipe for Weight Loss | View |
| MacBook Air i3 vs i5 | View |
| You Need a VPN in 2023 – Liberty Shield | View |
Concussions are an unfortunate reality of contact sports at the junior and senior levels. Now, sports experts at the University of South Australia suggest that young athletes suffering from head injuries may need extended recovery times, as new research shows that a concussion can increase the risk of future injury by 50%.
Posted in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,The world’s first study tracked and assessed the long-term impact of concussion and subsequent injury risk in 1,455 sub-elite junior Australian rules football players.
This builds on previous UniSA research that found an approximately 1.5-fold increased risk of injury for sub-elite Australian rules rules football players returning from injury, compared to those without injury.
By tracking injuries over a seven-season period, the researchers found that soccer players who sustained a concussion were also 1.5 times more likely to be re-injured in the future compared to players who never suffered a concussion. they had been injured. This increased risk was the same as for players returning from upper and lower extremity injuries.
The finding comes ahead of the Australian Senate report on concussion injuries and follows the AFL’s announcement of a $25 million study into the long-term effects of concussions and blows to the head.
In the AFL, concussions are one of the most common injuries, with an average of six concussions every 1,000 hours played, involving around 70 to 80 male players each year.
In elite junior soccer, as well as the AFL and AFLW, the concussion guidelines say that the earliest a player can return to play after concussion is 12 days after injury, after following gradual progression through a return to play program.
Lead researcher Dr Hunter Bennett from UniSA says the significant and elevated risk of injury after concussion may suggest that a longer recovery time is required for some players to recover better before playing again.
“The current recommendation of 12 days post-concussion may not be sufficient to allow full recovery in elite 18-and-under soccer players,” says Dr. Bennett.
It may also indicate that the physical qualities affected by the concussion need to be further evaluated before an athlete is cleared to return to sport.
“Concussion is a common injury in Australian rules football that can lead to problems with balance, coordination, reaction time and decision making, and these problems can increase the risk of other injuries if an athlete returns to play before making a full recovery. “.
A recent consensus statement on concussion in sports also indicates that children and adolescents can take up to four weeks to recover from a sports-related concussion.
“Concussions are a unique injury that occurs without damage to muscle tissue, but instead affects aspects of motor control,” says Dr. Bennett.
“Recurring injuries can significantly impact team success, player health and career longevity.
“In elite sports, the potential exists for young athletes to overprepare to return to the sport after injury, as they worry that missing games could exclude them from the draft or senior competition.
“Knowing that athletes are at increased risk of re-injury after concussion suggests that we need careful and unique rehabilitation strategies to monitor when an athlete is fully recovered and ready to return to play.”
The researchers say that future research should seek to identify optimal rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies for athletes who sustain concussions.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230616161943.htm
—————————————————-