Stop the Stigma Around Head Injuries

How to encourage young athletes to talk about head injuries

It’s not easy to pull a young athlete out of a game. Even when they have a serious injury, the biggest concern of many competitive athletes is getting back on the field or in the arena as soon as possible—mostly because they don’t want to let their teammates down. Unfortunately, this is exactly why some young athletes won’t speak up when they are hurt. This is especially the case with concussions, because unlike a broken arm or twisted ankle, the injury tends to be less visible to the naked eye. Here are some ways to encourage young athletes to have an open dialogue about head injuries so that all athletes understand the facts.

Symptoms are not always obvious.

The majority of concussions go undetected because, aside from vision impairment, the symptoms are not always immediately obvious, can be delayed or athletes don’t report them. Even if an athlete doesn’t feel any lingering effects after sustaining a blow to the head, they still potentially suffered a concussion. Using the King-Devick Test to screen for concussions, will make sure that players and coaches recognize the injury immediately, and allow for proper time for a full recovery. Remember, sustaining a second concussion before the first one has healed can lead to more serious injury, or even in rare cases, death.

Eliminate the Guesswork

The King-Devick Test in association with Mayo Clinic removes the guesswork for young athletes. The objective and accurate concussion screening test prevents athletes from hiding their symptoms. Plus, it gives parents, coaches and athletic trainers a validated screening tool to take additional precautions to ensure that the athletes are protected.

Getting young athletes to talk about significant topics such as concussions isn’t always easy, but through education can improve their willingness to speak up. The simple act of having a conversation will help young athletes feel more comfortable taking the necessary time to recover from their concussion, without feeling like they are letting their team down.

For more information, contact the King-Devick Test today!