NCAA Concussions

Good Idea, but Take Care of Own First

Dustin Fink7 Comments

I get why its being done.  In fact I agree with the principle behind the letters to the states, however it is tough to ask for someone to do something that you yourself have a difficult time doing/policing.  The NFL and NCAA sent out letters to 19 Governors asking them to consider concussion legislation (via USAToday);

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA President Mark Emmert are urging 19 governors to support legislation this year aimed at cutting down on concussions in youth football.

Goodell and Emmert sent letters Thursday to governors of states — such as Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin — they said do not have something akin to Washington state’s “Zackery Lystedt Law,” named for a middle school football player who sustained brain damage after he got a concussion and returned to play.

Although both the NFL and NCAA have outlined “guidelines” and mechanisms for concussions themselves, they do have a hard time enforcing them.  A quick glance at just this blog unearths some serious issues: Kris Dielman, Mike Vick, Huffgate, and Bonnergate just to highlight a few.  Just think how difficult that is for an entire state with more than one level and one sport to worry about.  The NCAA should be able to help, but even there they are “recommendations/guidelines”, there are no teeth to the rules.

Legislation is good, but only good for one reason in my opinion: awareness.  That is it, because there are ways to skirt the Continue reading →

Tuesday Quick Hits

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We have been offering suggestions to the NHL on how to change the game for the past few weeks (see here and here), as you go through the searches more and more people are doing the same, especially up north.  The Globe and Mail with author David Shoalts proposed most of the same information we had;

  • Culture change (respect)
  • Equipments
  • Treatment
    • “The NHL should tap into the long list of reputable concussion experts willing to help and develop a sensible plan for treating concussions. Then it should get the National Hockey League Players’ Association to join it in strongly encouraging the players to follow it.”
  • Rule changes (see outlawing all head contact)
  • Game changes (see speed)
  • Fighting

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Bonnergate in Nashville

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I missed this case of another NCAA athlete that quite possibly was mismanaged.  We discussed the Josh Huff case in the Rose Bowl yesterday, HERE.  Thanks to an astute observer and commenter, presumably an athletic trainer, here is what happened, thanks Bryan (BTW it is you the reader that help us with the stories that matter);

Watching the Miss St. / Wake Forest Bowl game yesterday, the game kicked off for the second half. WF returned the ball and Miss St. DB Wade Bonner (#7) assisted on the tackle on the WF sideline. At the end of the play Bonner lay on the sideline on his stomach pointed towards the field. For a few moments he didn’t move, then got up gingerly and attempted to run forward. He instead went directly sideways for 5 yards, nearly running over the side judge spotting the ball at the end of the return. The side judge obviously noticed he was not ok and held on to him and turned across the field and motioned for help.

At this point the camera switches to the WF QB who is doing the college football routine of “Stare at the sideline blindly waiting for the coach to make up his mind about the play call”. Assumed it was taking so long because they were getting Bonner off the field. Wrong, just as WF walked to the line, the same side judge had to hold the game, run to the defensive safety spot where Bonner was lined up for the next play and make the Miss St. staff come get him. Good for the ref for following his responsibility and making him sit out.

So what happens? You guessed it. Less than a minute later Continue reading →

Huffgate in Pasadena

Dustin Fink7 Comments

In the second quarter of the Rose Bowl, Oregon wide receiver, Josh Huff, was hit in the head while attempting to make a catch.  He tried to get to his feet, then fell back down.  He was attended to by Oregon’s medical staff on field.  When he rose to his feet it was VERY CLEAR to those watching he had balance disturbance.  He could hardly open his eyes and squinted and grabbed his nose.  As he was walking off the field his “straight line” to the sideline looked more like someone who had too many to drink a few nights ago.  (here is the video and take from SB Nation), from SB Nation as well;

He tried to stand up, staggered his steps, then fell back down again. Huff is one of the best receivers Oregon has, at a position where the Ducks are already thin on the depth chart.

He was removed for the remainder of the half.  After the extended half time the “sideline princess” of ESPN, Erin Andrews notified all of us watching that Huff “only had his bell rung” and was going to return in the second half.

WHAT IN THE WHAT???  WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!!!!

“Bell rung” = Concussion Continue reading →

2011 NCAA Football Reported-Concussion Study: Week 11

noodle7 Comments

The Concussion Blog Original, 2011 NCAA Football Reported-Concussion Study, is a weekly compilation of reported head injuries in Division-I college football.  Concussions are added to the list each week from multiple sources to give you, the reader, a picture of what is happening on the field.  Each week we will bring you the information along with relevant statistics.  This study recognizes that the NCAA has no mandated requirements in reporting injuries, but hopes to shed light on an issue that hasn’t received the kind of critical recognition to that of the National Football League’s.  We encourage reader involvement in contributing to this comprehensive online study.  We will be using Fink’s rule to classify a concussion/head injury.

As we all very well know, college athletics are a beloved element in our national sports culture- controversy aside.  With understanding this country-wide phenomena in the adoration of college football, specifically, we recognize this love, and sit back in our own respective comfort zones of viewing games with our friends and families cheering on our favorite programs and alma mater institutions.  College football is a significant part of our exposure to sports, but for the sake of specificity as it relates to the regards of our blog, college football has not necessarily been given much attention in consideration of the sports concussion crisis.  The purpose of this study is largely to bring forth such attention, and to generate critical questions of the standards in place as football as a whole, without secluding the focus to only that of the professional levels.  This is a hard task, mainly because of the abundance of programs at the Division-I level, but also due to the fact that the NCAA has no requirements placed on coaching staffs to report injuries sustained by players during play. Continue reading →

2011 NCAA Football Reported-Concussion Study: Week 10

noodle1 Comment

The Concussion Blog Original, 2011 NCAA Football Reported-Concussion Study, is a weekly compilation of reported head injuries in Division-I college football.  Concussions are added to the list each week from multiple sources to give you, the reader, a picture of what is happening on the field.  Each week we will bring you the information along with relevant statistics.  This study recognizes that the NCAA has no mandated requirements in reporting injuries, but hopes to shed light on an issue that hasn’t received the kind of critical recognition to that of the National Football League’s.  We encourage reader involvement in contributing to this comprehensive online study.  We will be using Fink’s rule to classify a concussion/head injury.

As we all very well know, college athletics are a beloved element in our national sports culture- controversy aside.  With understanding this country-wide phenomena in the adoration of college football, specifically, we recognize this love, and sit back in our own respective comfort zones of viewing games with our friends and families cheering on our favorite programs and alma mater institutions.  College football is a significant part of our exposure to sports, but for the sake of specificity as it relates to the regards of our blog, college football has not necessarily been given much attention in consideration of the sports concussion crisis.  The purpose of this study is largely to bring forth such attention, and to generate critical questions of the standards in place as football as a whole, without secluding the focus to only that of the professional levels.  This is a hard task, mainly because of the abundance of programs at the Division-I level, but also due to the fact that the NCAA has no requirements placed on coaching staffs to report injuries sustained by players during play. Continue reading →

Sunday Slants

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For your early reading on a Sunday here are a couple of stories; like the slant route quick hitting but you have the opportunity to go further if you wish.

Misleading Headline

“Chargers’ Dielman out for two games after concussion, seizure“…  To put a definite number on return to play is WRONG for all brain injuries; although the article hints at a longer out period the headline is poor at best.  And guess what it was published by the NFL.

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Misleading Nomenclature

There was another concussion in NCAA hoop as UConn player Andre Drummond broke his nose and was diagnosed with a concussion, but according to the player it was only “mild”;

“This sucks,” Drummond wrote. “Mild concussion and I broke my nose. Worst day ever.”

There is NO SUCH THING AS A MILD CONCUSSION, period.

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Misleading a Player

Quite possibly one of the worst revelations we have seen in sports an athlete, professional soccer player Taylor Twellman, was intentionally misled into playing; Continue reading →

Tuesday Quick Hits

Dustin Fink1 Comment

College football is not immune from the incidence of concussions, although as John has shown the reported numbers seem lower.  There are reasons for this, but I will let him explain them to you more in-depth.  Regardless, the injury occurs as in the case of some “higher” profile athletes.

Justin Blackmon, possibly the best wide receiver in the country of Oklahoma State sustained a possible concussion this past Saturday and was held from practice.  This is not unusual but the term used by OSU to describe Blackmon’s injury is horrible;

Justin Blackmon was held out of Oklahoma State’s practice Sunday night after getting “dinged” in the head during the first half of Saturday’s win against Missouri.

Dinged, really?  C’mon man!!!

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Soap Box Second:

Referring to concussions as a “head injury” diminishes the actual effects the injury is having.  The more prudent and descriptive term would be brain injury.  Unfortunately while listing injuries Continue reading →

NCAA Reported-Concussion Study: Entering Week 6

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For quite some time now we have been compiling data regarding reported concussions in Division-I NCAA college football, taking note of rates of reported injury as well as the implications that such injuries have placed upon the players themselves.  As before mentioned in a post covering the absence of requirement in NCAA teams reporting injuries, we understand that this study will not be that of an exact science, but it should and will point to several issues on this subject.  The questions that we may raise from this study include inquiry on the prevalence of concussions in this level of football, how the injury is distributed amongst different age groups, how teams may or may not find purpose in not reporting concussions alongside other common injuries, how repetitive injury may impact one’s playing career, and most importantly- should the NCAA be required to report injuries?

Right now, such questions are left to debate and statistical evaluation.  Reporting concussions is analogous to reporting weakness in this level of play, and much so applies to all aspects of contact sports today.  What we have gathered through numerous resources made available online (and for that matter, it has been quite a challenge to track down concussions in the NCAA via Internet) is more so a statement to be made to the general public, for media fatigue and a lack of specialization to compartmentalize this injury aside from others has yet to be available to us.  This study intends on bringing more focus on concussions in college football, and hopefully may lead to more research-based and awareness-provoking paths.

As we enter Week 6 of the 2011-2012 NCAA college football season, here are the numbers to what we are looking at in relation to the incidents of concussions in Division-I programs… Continue reading →

Another “Retirement” In College Football

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Nolan Brewster of the University of Texas has become the latest player in college football “retiring” due to head injury.  Brewster has been told that continuing in the sport he loves would not be good for his overall health.  As recently as September 17th Brewster was dealing with the demons of concussion;

“I started to worry about getting a migraine or a concussion with every hit,” Brewster said. “The UCLA game (Sept. 17) was really the tipping point where I had to come out of the game and they diagnosed me with a severe concussion. When we got back to Austin, [team trainer Kenny Boyd] had me go through a series of tests…and they all felt like it would be best for me to stop playing.”

“It’s something we’ve been monitoring very closely,” Boyd added. “We’ve talked to Nolan and his family extensively about the situation…we felt it was in Nolan’s best interest to no longer play football.”

It’s always disappointing when a kid has to give up football because of a medical condition, but safety comes first, and the good news is that Brewster will be able to stay on scholarship while he continues school.

Unfortunately for the players we are seeing more of this, but fortunately there are people looking out for the welfare of the players.  John Gonoude will keep us up to date on the happenings in college football as the season progresses.

SOURCE

Fencing Response Awareness

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This past Saturday Kenny Shaw of Florida State took a hit that resulted in immediate medical attention.  Although the protocol called for neck precautions the reaction of Shaw upon getting hit led to many observers to see a common indicator of a concussion.  As Shaw was “sandwiched” between the defenders his arm involuntarily became flexed in a position that has been identified as the Fencing Response.

Video from YouTube and commenter Aaron…

Discovered by students under the mentorship of Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD of the University of Kentucky Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center.  This finding and observation in a game was highlighted by an article in Tallahassee.com; Continue reading →

Helmet Maker Fears Realized

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On August 22nd, Derek Sheely was in contact drills with his college football team at Frostburg State in Maryland.  After some reported blows Sheely became ill and collapsed, he was immediately rushed to a local hospital then transferred to a trauma center in Baltimore.  Sheely was in critical condition until he died on August 28th;

Derek Sheely’s death certificate states he died Aug. 28 of a traumatic brain injury as a result of helmet collision, almost one week after he collapsed at practice, said Kenneth Sheely of Germantown.

The fact that mom and dad are without their son from an accident is unfortunately becoming news that is both Continue reading →

Study Quantifies Hits By Position

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Using the Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS) made by Simbex exclusive to the Riddell helmet researchers were able to quantify how often and who was sustaining the most force to the head throughout three seasons.  The study was performed at Brown University, Dartmouth College and Virginia Tech University; compiling information on 286,000+ hits on 314 players (910+ hits/player).  The aim of the study was to identify exposure rates and begin to find ways to limit such exposures if possible.

The lead author on the study was Joseph J. Crisco of Brown University, amongst other faculty positions.  This study is set to appear in The Journal of Biomechanics.

Here are some quotes from the Brown University public release; Continue reading →

Ivy Leauge Puts In Contact Rules For Football

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The Ivy League has decided to become proactive in the area of contact practices in football.  Currently the NCAA limits the number of full contact days to 5 per week;

According to the new rules, teams will be able to hold only two full-contact practices per week during the season, compared with a maximum of five under N.C.A.A. guidelines. On the other days of the week, practices cannot include contact or live tackles, and no player may be “taken to the ground.”

During the preseason, teams will be able to hold only one full-contact session during two-a-day practices.

This decisions has been made after a long study, and coaches feel as though the changes will not impact the game or current practices, with the added bonus of having “fresher” players on game day.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY FROM NY TIMES.

Live From Princeton

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Welcome to the continually updated live feed from the Athletic Trainers Society of New Jersey 2nd Annual Concussion Summit.  I would like to thank the ATSNJ in particular; John Furtado, Eric Nussbaum, and Mary Jane Rogers for the help in getting things set up.  We are at the Wyndham Princeton Forrestal Conference Center & Hotel in a stunning amphitheater, attendance is anticipated to be high.  I anticipate updating this post as soon as possible after each speaker.  Follow @concussionblog for updates.

6:25am CST: Crowd flowing in with provided breakfast in hand.

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6:33am CST: Jason Mihalik, PhD “Biomechanics of Concussion”;

  • Concussion is a FUNCTIONAL injury not structural injury
  • Brian injury a major public health concern (showing a pyramid with the head injuries on the bottom, unseen or caring on their own)
  • Things that feed into Traumatic Brain Injury:
  • Cognition, Concussion History, Postural Stability, Mechanism of Injury, Physical Exam, Symptomatology, Knowledge/Attitude
  • Injury Prevention (anticipation, infractions, play type, closing distance)
  • Kinds of impacts that cause concussion; research obviously done primarily on animals beginning in the pre 40’s.  The coup-contracoup model was found by using animal models
  • Research moved from animal models to human analogs; wax skulls/gelatinous brains Continue reading →

    • Marquette Soccer Player Has To Give Up Soccer

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    Shannon Walsh has posted a two-part story about Marquette soccer player Scott Miller and his decision to forgo his senior season due to concussions.  The stories have been posted on TopDrawerSoccer.com (LINK to Part I) and are very informative, well worth your time.  Here are some excerpts;

    In April 2010, Miller collided with a goalkeeper against Northern Illinois(m), leaving him with a broken nose and concussion. Though Miller experienced symptoms of the concussion, he decided not to tell the team medical staff or coaches, and was cleared to play ten days later against Milwaukee(m) in the Wisconsin Cup.

    “That was the biggest mistake of my career at Marquette,” Miller said of his decision to play against UWM. “I told the team doctor and coaches that I felt normal and would be ready to play. Going into the game against UWM, I did not feel well but decided to play. It was one decision that if I had done differently probably would have saved my career.”

    Underlining the need for awareness and education, Miller exemplifies exactly the stigma associated with concussions.  In retrospect Continue reading →

    Purdue Guard Will Play

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    Ryne Smith of Purdue was rumored to have sustained a concussion leading up to the Boilermakers game today.  Reports are now that he did get hit in the head by teammate E’Twan Moore, on accident.

    Smith had what he called an “extremely mild” concussion but has been cleared, practiced and declared himself healthy.

    We all know how the blog feels about “mild” concussions, and it is a good time to talk about that again.  Let it be known that Purdue has done the correct thing, he has been out of action since Sunday and has been cleared.

    SOURCE

    An Honest Interview

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    Percy Allen of the Seattle Times covers the University of Washington basketball team, and has a blog report that deals in part with Justin Holiday and his concussion.  Holiday is just returning from his concussion he suffered on March 5th and Allen interviewed him about how it has been going.

    “I really didn’t feel comfortable shooting them because of my concussion,” he said. “I was a little light-headed at times and I thought other guys could have made a better shot than I could have. It was really just being out there for the team. I wasn’t shooting as well and I wanted to make sure we got the best shot up possible in the game. And helping in ways I knew for sure I could get things done.

    (How can you get better?) “Just rest. It’s most definitely gotten better. Resting all week. Other than the games. These couple of days of rest are going to help me most definitely. I feel better now than I did when we left. I feel that can get cleared up all the way and go out there and produce.”

    (How close were you to sitting out?) Continue reading →

    Local Basketball Player Sitting Out

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    Senior point guard Travis Rosenkranz of Illinois Wesleyan University and formerly of Macon (Meridian) High School will have to miss at least his team’s first game in the Division III tournament.

    “I’m still having concussion symptoms, headaches and some dizzy spells every now and then,” Rosenkranz said Wednesday. “I have not retaken my concussion test yet to clear me to do physical activity let alone play.”

    Rosenkranz was driving to the basket in the second half of a game at Wheaton on Feb. 12 as he lost his balance. The knee of a Wheaton defender crossing the lane collided with Rosenkranz’s head. Rosenkranz was taken from King Arena on a stretcher to a nearby hospital.

    “I don’t remember anything prior to the accident,” he said. “The first thing I remember is coming into the hospital from the ambulance.”

    This is a very good example of a student placing his studies in front of his sport and Continue reading →

    Deadspin Takes on Scholarships and Concussions

    Dustin Fink1 Comment

    Emma Carmichael of Deadspin.com wrote an article about how schools have, and in the future will, handle the scholarships of players who have to “retire” due to concussions.  Emma highlighted the cases of the four players in the past year that have had to call it careers, with the catalyst being Steven Threet of Arizona State.

    But concussions can’t be planned around graduations. And at some point soon, thanks in large part to the bad incentives created by the NCAA’s one-year, renewable scholarship, an athletic department somewhere will have to choose between expediency and simple humanity, and an athlete somewhere else will have to choose between his scholarship and his health.

    There is no legal obligation for the Universities/Colleges to maintain the financial aid given to the student-athlete.  In reality if the institutions were to pull the scholarship the message would be clear; football is more important Continue reading →

    Another College Football Player “Retires”

    Dustin Fink1 Comment

    Steven Threet, the very productive quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils is ending his career as a football player, due to concussions;

    Steven Threet, who has suffered four concussions in the past five years, has decided to end his football career at Arizona State.

    Threet helped revive ASU’s offense last season, completing 61.9 percent of his passes, for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He suffered two concussions, the first Oct. 23 at California and the second Nov. 26 against UCLA.

    “At this point, I think this is the best decision, given the circumstances I’m in,” said Threet, adding that he’s still experiencing symptoms from the UCLA concussion that ended his season. He still has headaches and has trouble sleeping.

    “It’s extremely hard,” Threet said. “Obviously, this is a game I love. I love the guys that I’ve played with. Throughout my career I’ve had to make a lot of tough decisions, but this has been the toughest I’ve made so far.”

    Threet has joined Tre’ Newton of Texas and Steven Thomas of BYU as the third college football player to end their career early due to concussions.

    SOURCE via Deadspin

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    Name that helmet and model…

    Basketball Season

    Dustin FinkLeave a comment

    While all the focus is on football there are other sports that have the ability to create the injury we know as a concussion.  In fact all of them can but one sport in particular may be lurking in the shadows, basketball.  It arguably has some of the highest participation levels in all of sport, from the multi-million dollar professional, to the high school level, to pre-K participation and even the rec-league pick up game at your local court or church.  It is most definitely time to look at the sport of basketball.

    Basketball does have its inherent risks associated with head injury; flying elbows, knocking heads and even making contact with the floor.  On Thursday Jeremiah Rivers of Indiana University was led into a screen while playing defense and his head made contact with Mike Tisdale of the University of Illinois, causing Rivers to double over and remain stunned for a short time.  That would be an obvious situation where your head would be in danger on the hardwood.  The not so obvious is the surface they play on, typically a neatly painted (Oregon not withstanding) shiny court made of hard wood.  Let us examine a specific example of how the hardwood could cause a problem.

    Demitri McCamey is perhaps the best and most talented player on the University of Illinois basketball team, he is averaging the most minutes (33.2) and most points (15.1) per game.  Continue reading →

    “Wild” Bill Cody

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    Bill Cody was a standout linebacker for the Auburn Tigers in the season of 1964, now 66 and after years of service in the National Football League, “Wild” Bill has fond memories and NO memories of times spent on the gridiron;

    During a 1964 game in Gainesville, Fla., Cody too a particularly hard hit and headed to the bench.

    The only problem was that he went to the Florida sideline.

    “I don’t know how I got knocked silly, but I actually went over and sat down on their bench,”  said Cody, who had suffered a concussion.  “Kenny Howard, the old trainer at Auburn, he came over and got me.  I don’t remember this, but they told me that’s what happened.”

    His memory lapse does not end with that game, rather it is just beginning to manifest itself in his life now, and he truly and deeply believes that it is due to his multiple concussions in the game;

    “My wife over the period of the last 3 or 4 years has said, ‘You don’t ever listen’ or ‘why didn’t you do what I told you,'” Cody  said.  “All wives say those things, but I don’t remember her telling me that.  That’s become more frequent.  If she told me something yesterday, I might or might not remember.

    “It is just frustrating that you just did something yesterday or the day before and you can’t remember what you did.  You know you did something.  Two or three days later it might all of a sudden just hit you.”

    The al.com article not only highlights the concussion issue but it also drives home the need of former players to get assistance from the league with continual health issues.  Dainel Boyette of the Press-Register concluded his article by stating that Cody tells him he does not suffer from other issues related to long-term effects of the multiple head injuries, and in fact remains very active.

    Bowdoin College Article

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    The Bowdoin College Polar Bears have had their share of concussions just like the rest of the world.  Being located in Brunswick, Maine their story may not be as accessible to most.  That is why this blog exists to highlight the good things, ideas, thoughts and observations from all around.  The “Nation’s Oldest Continuously Published College Weekly”, The Bowdoin Orient ran a story about the College’s experiences with concussions.

    The on-field evaluation is crucial to avoiding second concussions, but Darden was not diagnosed with a concussion at the time of her injury. Though she was enduring intense pain, Darden told the trainer that she was fine and did well enough on the evaluation to continue playing. She played for the majority of the remaining time.

    “I thought I was fine. I didn’t feel dizzy…I just felt angry,” she said. Continue reading →