Traumatic Brain Injury in High School Athletes

The Study The purpose of this study by John W. Powell, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, and Kim D. Barber-Foss of Med Sports Systems was to examine the frequency patterns for mildtraumatic brain injuries (MTBI) associated with participation in10 high school sports: football, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, wrestling, field hockey, baseball, softball and girls volleyball. The study used data from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) injury surveillance program, …

…Means to You The MTBI can occur in any type of sport or physical activity. Identifying the initial signs and symptoms and then monitoring them until they are no longer present is the most efficient way to manage this type of injury. Participants in sports and physical activity should be encouraged to report events that cause them to experience any type of symptoms, e.g., headaches, nausea, confusion, etc., following an impact to the head