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A concussion is a traumatic brain injury typically sustained by athletes falling or colliding with one another or an object, such as a goalpost or the ground. Concussions in young athletes can have long-term consequences, so preventing and treating concussions is a priority in high school sports.

Athletes tend to downplay getting hit in the head by saying they got “dinged” or “had their bell rung.” Still, a blow to the head, no matter how hard, is serious and should be considered a concussion until proven not to be.

Mount Nittany Health provides a detailed concussion protocol for student athletes that streamlines the treatment process to ensure a safe and timely return to play. Mount Nittany Health's concussion protocol includes concussion baseline testing for our partnered schools, timely follow up care with monitored neurocognitive testing for athletes diagnosed with a concussion, and proper return to play restrictions to ensure that students only return to full participation when it is safe. 

While the overall number of high school sports injuries has declined over time, the total number of concussions has grown by 87%. Athletes can sustain concussions in any sport. Some high school sports, particularly football, account for a more significant proportion of current concussion rates than others. Still, soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball all have concussion risks. These risks increase during competition when players play harder than they do during practice.

Preteens and teenagers are more likely to experience a concussion than adults and recover more slowly. In addition, athletes who have previously suffered a concussion are more likely to suffer another. A concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first concussion can increase the likelihood of long-term problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States developed a four-step response plan for coaches who suspect one of their athletes has had a concussion. It includes removing the athlete from play, evaluating them by a qualified health care professional, informing the athlete’s parents or guardians about the head injury and letting them know the facts about concussions, and keeping the athlete out of play until a health care professional determines they are symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. On its website, The State College School District has a concussion protocol that follows these recommendations and adds that athletes should not return to play until they are back in school learning and without worsening symptoms.

Athletes who have had a concussion experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or noise. They also may appear confused and forgetful. In the long run, they may experience mood swings and personality changes. In rare cases, a dangerous brain bleed t may form on the brain that crowds it against the skull. Danger signs requiring immediate attention include one pupil being larger than the other, extreme drowsiness, repetitive vomiting and a worsening headache, among other symptoms.

High school coaches and athletes have become more aware of the seriousness of concussions and proactively work to prevent them. As a result, coaches do what they can to minimize the chances of a concussion. These include low-impact drills, half-speed practices, and teaching athletes to roll properly when tripped or not to lead with their heads when tackling, for example.

Athletic trainers are also critical in diagnosing and caring for athletes with concussions or other injuries. Mount Nittany Health teams with State College Area School District to provide diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of sports injuries. Mount Nittany Health’s Fit for Play also offers one-on-one physical therapy for injured athletes at their Sandy Drive, State College location.

Sports are ingrained in our local culture. Mount Nittany Health’s commitment to making our community healthier extends to our high school sports teams and ensuring they are fit for play.