Concussions and High School Athletes

"When high school athletes suffer concussions, as many as 40.5% return to action prematurely and set themselves up for more severe injuries," according to new research from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The study "adds fuel to growing concerns about the long-term side effects of concussions. It also shines new light on inadequately trained personnel on the sidelines unprepared to make accurate diagnoses and informed decisions about sending players back on the field." Almost one in 10 sports injuries are concussions, according to the CDC, "and for young people ages 15-24, sports are second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of brain injury." Most concussions occur in football and soccer. Read more.