It’s
September, and while autumn may not officially start for another 22
days, fall sports are well underway for America’s youth. The two most
popular sports during this time of the year are football and soccer,
and both of them present the risk of concussion.
It is
something that has recently came into the public spotlight for
football players, but soccer quietly has the third-highest concussion rate among all sports – trailing only hockey and the aforementioned
football.
When
left undetected, concussions can cause long-term brain damage, but
this is very preventable; you just have to take proper precaution.
Here are some tips to help you avoid concussions altogether this
fall, and what you should to if you do get one to prevent it from
getting worse.
  • Helmets should
    fit properly and be up-to-par (football).     When
    it comes to preventing football concussions, helmets are your best
    friend. All athlete’s helmets should be tested to ensure that they
    fit properly, and all equipment should be certified by the NOCSAE.
  • Learn proper
    tackling technique (football).     If
    helmets are your first best friend, good technique is your second.
    Learning how to tackle with your shoulder, not your head, can
    protect you from head, neck, and spine injuries.
  • Learn proper
    heading technique (soccer).     Heading
    the ball is one of the leading causes of concussions in soccer.
    Coaches should emphasize heading technique, making sure to teach
    their players to tense their neck muscles and keep their head
    in-line with the torso.
  • Know the
    symptoms.     Symptoms
    of a concussion aren’t always readily apparent, and sometimes they
    may take a couple days to surface, which is why it is important for
    players, parents, and coaches to all be on the lookout. Typical
    concussion symptoms include dizziness, headache, memory loss,
    fatigue, nausea, blurry vision, and loss of consciousness.
  • When in doubt,
    get checked out.     If
    there is any doubt in your mind whether or not you have a
    concussion, play it safe and refrain from playing until you get
    looked at by a professional. Even if it goes unnoticed by the
    referees or coaches, take yourself out of the game; it’s not worth
    risking long-term brain injury.
  • Wear a mouth
    guard.     Mouth
    guards protect more than just your pearly whites, studies have shown
    they are also effective at preventing head injuries.
Insports
Centers is an indoor sports facility located in Trumbull, CT. We are
committed to keeping sports as safe and enjoyable as possible, which
is why we offer a variety of youth instruction programs to teach kids
proper technique from a young age. Visit our website to learn more
about us or join the thousands of others who have liked our page on Facebook.