evaluating mild head injury

As a coach, people will look to you as ‘expert’ on possible concussions, even though the incidence is low in Artistic Gymnastics.

Here’s a quick checklist:

I only bring this up because of the relatively new evidence of sub-concussive brain damage.

If you’ve any doubt at all, take the athlete out of play. You are not expert enough to decide that a suspected head injury is minor enough to continue. As first responder, you’d pass the athlete on to a specialist.

Increasingly computerized neuropsychological test (e.g., ImPACT, CogSport) are being used for assessment. It’s getting easier and less expensive to do assessment.

That chart comes from this article – HEADS UP! – A Soccer Coach’s Guide to Concussion (PDF)

In 2011 there’s no such thing as simply being “shaken up”. And getting back in the game. That era is gone forever.