Concussion: a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. Medically, a concussion is a complex, pathophysiological event to the brain that is induced by trauma which may or may not involve a loss of consciousness (LOC). Concussion results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms. Signs or symptoms may last from several minutes to days, weeks, months or even longer in some cases.
CONCUSSION SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND MANAGEMENT AT TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS
Step 1: Did a concussion occur?
Evaluate the player and note if any of the following signs and/or symptoms are present:
(1) Dazed look or confusion about what happened.
(2) Memory difficulties.
(3) Neck pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, double vision, blurriness, ringing noise or sensitive to sounds.
(4) Short attention span. Can't keep focused.
(5) Slow reaction time, slurred speech, bodily movements are lagging, fatigue, and slowly answers questions or has difficulty answering questions. (6) Abnormal physical and/or mental behavior.
(7) Coordination skills are behind, ex: balancing, dizziness, clumsiness, reaction time.
Step 2: Is emergency treatment needed?
This would include the following scenarios:
(1) Spine or neck injury or pain.
(2) Behavior patterns change, unable to recognize people/places, less responsive than usual.
(3) Loss of consciousness.
(4) Headaches that worsen
(5) Seizures
(6) Very drowsy, can't be awakened
(7) Repeated vomiting
(8) Increasing confusion or irritability
(9) Weakness, numbness in arms and legs
Step 3: If a possible concussion occurred, but no emergency treatment is needed, what should be done now?
Focus on these areas every 5-10 min for the next 1-2 hours, without returning to any activities:
(1) Balance, movement.
(2) Speech.
(3) Memory, instructions, and responses.
(4) Attention on topics, details, confusion, ability to concentrate.
(5) State of consciousness
(6) Mood, behavior, and personality
(7) Headache or "pressure" in head
(8) Nausea or vomiting
(9) Sensitivity to light and noise
Players shall not re-enter competition, training, or partake in any activities for at least 24 hours. Even if there are no signs or symptoms after 15-20 min, activity should not be taken by the player.
Step 4: A player diagnosed with a possible concussion may return to US Youth Soccer play only after release from a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy trained in concussion treatment and management.