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What is a concussion?
What is a concussion?
It's a mild traumatic brain injury caused by direct or indirect impact to the head/body causing the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This sudden movement results in an altered mental state affecting the brain with or without loss of consciousness. Concussions are usually not life-threatening, but cause serious symptoms that require medical treatment. Symptoms may begin immediately or develop over a period of days, weeks, or months following the injury.
What is a baseline concussion test?
What is a baseline concussion test?
It is a test that assesses brain function in the uninjured state. This may include assessing memory, reaction time and balance. The more comprehensive, the better the information to diagnose and follow should a concussion occur.
All athletes and high risk professionals should have a baseline concussion test.
All athletes and high risk professionals should have a baseline concussion test.
The baseline testing allows healthcare professionals to make a comparison between pre/post injury and aides in determining when it is safe to return to play or work.
Types of Concussion Testing
Types of Concussion Testing
Neurocognitive Testing is a way to measure brain function non-invasively. It's a quick evaluation of visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and visual motor speed. The ImPACT™ test is most commonly used.
Balance Testing is used to check postural stability and control following a concussion. It is usually assessed by standing on the floor on a pad, on both feet and one foot at a time. Balance is best checked while moving as well. Many computerized systems exist to test balance.
Gross Motor Testing is for athletes, its best to check reaction time in motion, instead of while sitting at a computer. Dynavision is a good gross motor reaction time testing system.
Visual Tracking/Vestibular Testing identifies visual and vestibular system deficits which aid in diagnosing a concussion. A physician can test this manually with several maneuvers that involve following an object or finger with your eye's, moving your head etc. Also, several computer programs and devices exist for this test.
Importance of cognitive and physical exercise
Importance of cognitive and physical exercise
While rest is often recommended after a concussion, emerging research suggests that carefully managed exercise can actually speed up recovery. One common effect of concussion is exercise intolerance, where individuals stop physical activity due to symptom exacerbation. However, studies indicate that regular exercise during the initial days after a concussion may be safe and even beneficial.
Exercise encourages neuroplasticity, which is the brain's natural ability to change, adapt, and rewire itself following an injury. Under professional guidance, the right treatment approach, including both mental and physical exercise, can help the brain restore connections and promote healing.
To recondition the brain after a concussion, brain cells need to be challenged with different activities. This can be achieved through a combination of physical exercises, such as aerobic activity and strength training, and cognitive exercises, like memory games and problem-solving tasks.
If you have sustained a concussion, consult with your physician or a qualified therapist to develop a personalized exercise plan that promotes optimal recovery.
Physical Exercise
Physical exercise helps the brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain, which gives the brain oxygen it needs to function properly. It also causes the brain to produce chemicals that stimulate cell growth and improve neuroplasticity. Physical exercise changes the brain in ways that protect memory and thinking skills.
Cognitive exercise
Cognitive exercise helps to sharpen your mind. Brain-stimulating games like crossword puzzles, word search, jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers ,word games, playing cards and more are all great for activating the brain. Cognitive exercise will challenge your brain in a unique way, causing it to create new neural pathways. These new pathways (neuroplasticity)will help improve cognitive skills, such as memory, memory recall, focus and paying attention to more than one thing at a time. Whether you're an athlete recovering from a sport-related concussion or someone whose normal activity level is lower, exercise is an important part of recovery.
Common misconcepts about concussions
You do not have to hit your head to suffer a concussion. A strong jolt to the head or body can result in a concussive injury.
MRI or CT scans are typically normal following a concussion
Brain injuries cause more deaths than any other sports injury.
Lack of a proper diagnosis and management of concussion may result in catastrophic short term, or serious long term consequences.
1.6 to 3.8 million sports and recreation relatedconcussions occur in our country each year.
Your brain weighs about 3 lbs, is 75% water, contains approximately 100 billion neurons, is the fattiest organ in your body, and needs exercise and sleep.
High school athletes recovery time from a sport concussion takes longer than a college athlete due to the immature brain.
10% of all contact sports athletes sustain concussions yearly.
Most persons suffering a concussion recover within a couple of weeks or months, but for 10-15% symptoms last months to years, and maybe lifelong
Effects of concussion are cumulative in athletes who return to play prior to complete recovery.
Young children, teens and seniors are most likely to suffer from a traumatic brain injury.
In some cases concussive signs and symptoms are not present initially, but develop over a number of minutes, hours, or days.
5.3 million American's currently have long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living due to a brain injury.
In some cases concussive signs and symptoms are not present initially, but develop over a number of minutes, hours, or days.
The head is involved in more baseball injuries than any other organ. Almost ½ of the injuries involve a child's head, face, mouth, or eyes.
Concussion is often missed in older adults.
Children do not simply “bounce back” after brain injury. In fact, injury to the developing brain can impact future learning.
Green Awareness Ribbon
September is the International Concussion Awareness Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
Friday, September 18, 2026 is National Concussion Day
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