A concussion is a brain injury, sometimes referred to as traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Communications pathways within the brain become damaged, causing impairment of brain functionality. It can cause current and future problems with the health of an individual, depending on treatment and severity.
Different functions are handled by different lobes of the brain. Depending on what part of the brain is damaged, will affect the abilities handled by that brain lobe to perform properly:
Briana Scurry, a Women’s National Team, super star goalie talks about her concussion here (Briana was forced to retire from soccer, due to a concussion)
What can cause a concussion?
¨ A blow to the head
¨ A violent collision with another player, goal post, or the ground.
¨ Being struck in the head by a hard hit ball, from close distance, which hits with force
The following videos are some examples of how concussions can happen in soccer
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
Video 6
The concussion is caused by the collision of the brain against the skull, caused by a collision to the body/head. There can also be damage caused by shearing action, from rotational acceleration of the brain. Various functions of the brain can be affected by a concussion, as shown here .
A concussion is often considered an invisible injury. It is possible for a player to have a concussion, but to show no immediate signs/symptoms of one. There is a false misconception that a person blacks out when they get a concussion. This is not correct, as a person can receive a concussion and not black out. It simply depends on the person and the circumstances of the concussion.
A concussion can continue to cause internal brain damage, after the athlete has left the field of play, as chemical changes in the brain occur. All concussions are serious and should be reviewed by medical personnel.
The possibility that a concussion can cause further deterioration of brain functioning exists.
The following videos will provide concussion information, from the victims view:
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a fundamental document, which any young player should read: here
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