High School Athletes and Concussions
by Lindsey Fox
High school sports are a great way for teens to stay healthy. They also provide lifelong lessons that allow students to succeed later in life. Studies
have shown that students who participate in sports have greater self-confidence and leadership, higher grades, and more restraint in avoiding risky
behavior than those who do not play sports. However, those who participate in athletics are at risk of sports-related injuries. Approximately 200,000
sports-related brain injuries, such as concussions, occur each year. These head injuries most often occur among football players. Football players
receive head injuries 45 percent more often than players in girls' soccer, which has the second highest rate of concussions. Because high school
sports are at their highest rate of participation, preventive measures should be implemented to decrease concussion rates to the lowest possible
levels.
Educating Coaches About Concussions
Concussions can occur after a fall or from players hitting into each other with their bodies or with equipment, such as a goalpost. The possibility
for concussions is greatest in sports where collisions are most common. Unfortunately, many coaches and athletic trainers misdiagnose players who
may have concussions. This can lead to long-term brain injuries for players.
Which three sentences from the passage best support the claim that coaches need more training in how to respond to concussion injuries?
A 2014 study by the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that players who return
to sports before the brain recovers from a concussion increase the likelihood of having long-term
health problems.
Research has found that long-term effects of concussions can be problems with decision-making.
increased aggression, and even diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
Unfortunately, many coaches and athletic trainers misdiagnose players who may have
concussions.
Concussions can occur after a fall or from players hitting into each other with their bodies or with
equipment, such as a goalpost.