Mild head injury (MHI) represents one of the most challenging neurological pathologies occurring during athletic participation. Athletic trainers and sports medicine personnel are often faced with decisions about the severity of head injury and the timing of an athlete's return to play following MHI. Returning an athlete to competition following MHI too early can be a catastrophic mistake. This case study involves a 20-year-old collegiate football player who sustained three mild head injuries during one season. The case study demonstrates how objective measures of balance and cognition can be used when making decisions about returning an athlete to play following MHI. These measures can be used to supplement the subjective guidelines proposed by many physicians.
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Bryan L. Riemann and Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Earl R. Cooper Jr., Michael S. Ferrara, Martin Mrazik, and Steven Casto
Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Column-editor : Brent L. Arnold
Kevin Guskiewicz and Elizabeth Teel
In order to promote the most successful outcomes following concussion, a multifaceted team of individuals is required for appropriate injury diagnosis and management. This review explores the primary roles of sports medicine personnel in the concussion diagnosis and management process. We will discuss the psychometric properties, including sensitivity, specificity, and clinical utility, of on-field/sideline, laboratory, and neurophysiological assessment tools. Additionally, we will discuss the roles of other kinesiology experts in concussion management and recovery, and their importance to concussion research. By developing a thorough and consistent roadmap for concussion management, clinicians and researchers will be capable of providing athletes with the most successful outcomes.
Michael Gay and Semyon Slobounov
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Ryan Morrison, Kyle M. Petit, Chris Kuenze, Ryan N. Moran, and Tracey Covassin
al . Acute effects and recovery time following concussion in collegiate football players: the NCAA concussion study . JAMA . 2003 ; 290 ( 19 ): 2556 – 2563 . PubMed ID: 14625332 doi:10.1001/jama.290.19.2556 14625332 10.1001/jama.290.19.2556 4. Riemann BL , Guskiewicz KM . Effects of mild head injury
Jason P. Mihalik, Elizabeth F. Teel, Robert C. Lynall, and Erin B. Wasserman
BL , Guskiewicz KM . Effects of mild head injury on postural stability as measured through clinical balance testing . J Athl Train . 2000 ; 35 : 19 – 25 . PubMed ID: 16558603 16558603 9. Guskiewicz KM . Postural stability assessment following concussion: one piece of the puzzle . Clin J
