How+often+are+concussions+unreported+and+why?

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McCrea, M., Hammeke, T., Olsen, G., Leo, P., & Guskiewicz, K. (2004). Unreported concussion in high school football players: Implications for prevention. //Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine//,//14//(1), 13-17. Retrieved from [] This article set out to accurately estimate the actual frequency of concussions in high school sports. The researchers sampled from various high schools although they were in the same region. The researchers wanted to see who had a previous history of concussions, how many were sustained during the season, and if the concussion was reported. Over half of the concussions were unreported because of varying reasons. The researchers hoped to spread awareness of effects of post concussion syndrome and the severity of the injury.

Bramley, H., Patrick, K., Lehman, E., & Silvis, M. (2012). High school soccer players with concussion education are more likely to notify their coach of a suspected concussion. . //Clinical Pediatrics//, //51//(4), 332-326. Retrieved from [] This article was based off of a study done on about 200 student athletes. They administered the same survey to players who had a history of concussion training and athletes who had not been educated on the risks. The hope was to see if athletes who had a history of concussion education were more likely to report their concussions if they went unnoticed. Their assumptions were proven to be correct when the results came back. Only 36% of uneducated athletes said they would report a concussion to a parent or coach compared to the educated athletes of which 72% said they would report their concussions.

Herman, S. (2004, June 15). Study: Nearly 75% of college grid concussions go unreported. //USA Today//. Retrieved from [] This article stated that in 2004 around seventy five percent of concussions in college football went unreported. Again the article attributed the lack of reporting to a general lack of knowledge of possible effects of post concussion symptoms. The author assumes more people would report concussion symptoms if they knew the high risk of severe injury or even death. There is a condition called second impact syndrome that can cause this. Athletes may suffer greater injuries from a collision of lesser impact if they have not gotten over their previous concussion. Any symptoms of a concussion are cause to report a possible concussion because not all symptoms will show up and it is better to be safe than risk second impact syndrome.

Associated Press. (2010, December 12). //Nfl sees spike in reported concussions//. Retrieved from [] This article highlighted statistics about the increase in reported concussions in the NFL. The statistics that were compared were those from before increased research, protection, and player education, compared to current players. Granted there will be a spike in concussions because of stronger and faster athletes, but researchers believe that the large increase in reported concussions can be attributed to better education, and athletes seeing players from before their time suffering the long lasting effects of second impact syndrome.

Stevens, T. (2012, September 29). //Concussion deaths have changed n.c. high school football//. Retrieved from [] Two teens died from second impact season in N.C. after failing to report previous concussions. They had not been properly educated about the effects a concussion can have and were also very motivated to continue playing. Since these athletes died N.C. has began to teach students about concussions in more depth. Although some may claim it’s too little too late I believe it may have taken incidents like this to really make the country more aware of the dangers of concussions and to really promote education and reporting of concussions.