Concussions: Heading for Change

Air Date: 11/04/2014

Concussions are a hot topic in today’s sports world.

It’s not just a headline; it’s a medical mystery and an ongoing research study. Like most things about the brain, science is still learning what damage concussions can cause to an athlete. So the big question is this: What is being done to protect our athletes in sports like football, wrestling and even soccer? 

In an effort to clarify the continuing research and the new rules enacted to help player safety, Nebraska Public Media is proud to present Concussions: Heading for Change.

Nebraska is at the center of advanced brain research. The University of Nebraska’s Athletic Department recently partnered with an on-campus research lab called the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior (CB3) to help develop what could be a game-changing diagnosis process to help determine if an athlete has suffered a concussion on the field.

This collaboration between the two departments is unique and hopes to benefit all levels of play. Like all states, Nebraska recently passed into law a Concussion Awareness Act which aims to keep its youth athletes safe after receiving a head injury during play.

Through education, coaches and parents are learning the symptoms of these head injuries and what they can do to help their athletes recover.


What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Growing player size is a contributing factor to the rise of reported concussions in sports.

  • Headache
  • Vomiting or Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred Vision
  • Sensitivity to Light
  • Memory Problems
  • Heighten Emotions

How are they treated?

  • Rest (Athletically, Academically)
  • Avoid Screen Time (TV, Video Games)
Football players have grown in size over the last 100 years

Growing player size is a contributing factor to the rise of reported concussions in sports.

National Breakdown of High School Sports Related Concussions:

Image showing the sports with the greatest number of concussion incidences.

  • Football: 153,356 cases
  • Girls Soccer: 62,105 cases
  • Boys Soccer: 38,518 cases
  • Boys Basketball: 25,808 cases
  • Girls Basketball: 22,650 cases
  • Volleyball: 18,259 cases
  • Wrestling: 12,443 cases
A breakdown of concussions by sport

Image showing the sports with the greatest number of concussion incidences.

*U.S. High School Sports-Related Concussions, 2012-2013
National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study