Athletes suffer millions of concussions each year, yet many go unrecognized or mismanaged. Unlike a broken bone, which presents clear physical evidence, concussions affect brain function in ways that aren’t always immediately obvious.
Coaches play a critical role in identifying symptoms early and ensuring a safe return-to-play (RTP) process. A concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that, if not properly managed, can lead to prolonged symptoms, increased risk of lower extremity injury and poor outcomes for the youth athlete.
Recognizing the Signs of a Concussion
Early recognition of concussion symptoms is crucial to preventing further harm. If there is any suspicion of a concussion, there should be immediate removal from play. The most common signs include:
- Cognitive symptoms: Confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and slow reaction times.
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity, and balance issues.
- Emotional symptoms: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression.
- Sleep disturbances: Fatigue, drowsiness, or difficulty sleeping.
Coaches play a vital role in spotting these symptoms during and after games. Since concussions do not always present immediate or obvious symptoms, objective assessments are necessary to track an athlete’s recovery progress accurately.
The Role of Objective Testing in Return-to-Play Decisions
Historically, return-to-play (RTP) decisions have depended on subjective evaluations, including self-reported symptoms and clinical observations. However, these methods can be unreliable, as athletes may underreport symptoms to return to competition sooner. Objective testing tools can provide measurable, data-driven insights into an athlete’s recovery progress.
One promising approach is oculomotor tracking, which has been shown to be effective in assessing post-concussion recovery, particularly in young athletes (Anilkumar et al., 2024).
This method reduces reliance on subjective assessments by providing a quantifiable way to evaluate cognitive and neurological function through the analysis of eye movements. Coaches and medical staff can use these methods to identify lingering impairments that may not be immediately apparent through traditional evaluations.
Similarly, neurocognitive testing plays a crucial role in RTP decisions by assessing memory, attention, and processing speed—functions often affected by concussions. Delays in reaction time are a common post-concussion issue and can indicate lingering impairments. Objective tools like Sway Medical’s assessments help track these deficits, ensuring athletes are truly ready to return to play.
The tests can provide concrete data on an athlete’s cognitive performance over time, ensuring that they have returned to baseline levels before resuming full-contact play.
