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Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads? Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer (2002) / Chapter Skim
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Policy Implications
Pages 13-17

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From page 13...
... For example, concussed players who never lost consciousness or experienced amnesia are allowed to return to the game after fifteen minutes if they have no other symptoms of the concussion at that time. If players experience amnesia following their concussion, however, they are usually not allowed to play again until one week after the concussion, and then, only if they are symptom-free for the entire week.
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From page 14...
... Several speakers addressed the importance of using neuropsychological assessments in returnto-play decisions. These assessments can objectively determine when a number of brain functions return to normal following a head injury, according to Dr.
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From page 15...
... Brooks surveyed received a passing grade on her concussion test, 17 percent reported using no objective method to assess concussion consistently, and for deciding when athletes could return to playing a game following a concussion. In addition, 60 percent reported that they had never discussed concussion or return-to-play decisions with their team physicians.
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From page 16...
... Brooks suggested partnering with the Brain Injury Association of America, and state athletic associations. She also suggested working with insurance companies so they will give school districts a lower insurance rate for their sports programs if they include an educational program about concussion.
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From page 17...
... "But if you talk to trainers, coaches, and a lot of people that are working in the area of educating players," she said, "many claim it is really important to potentially develop the neck musculature and have athletes prepare to take headers prior to age 12, so that once they become 12 or 13, they are not confronted with situations that they don't potentially know how to deal with." But one participant at the workshop questioned whether children younger than 12 have the musculature and skeletal development to lock their heads in place, which is an important element of safe heading technique.
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Key Terms

  • brain injury
  • playing field
  • neuropsychological assessments
  • head injuries
  • traumatic brain

  • head injury
  • youth soccer
  • percent reported
  • education program
  • school athletic

  • practice physicians
  • athletic programs
  • brooks surveyed
  • coaching community
  • experienced amnesia

  • medical community
  • concussed players
  • middle school
  • team physicians
  • athletic training

  • sports programs
  • brooks added
  • concussion symptoms
  • youth coach
  • injury association

  • reckless play
  • family practice
  • concussion education
  • certified athletic
  • education component


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