In recent years because of the flood of sports research data and even a movie world based Sports Medicine authorities have united to ensure that concussion in sport is given its just priority. Hockey organisations have now included in their policy archives clear reference to head injury procedures. Most have adopted and linked to respective country based Sport Medicine organisation’s policy on head trauma.
Concussion is a brain injury and is defined as a complex physiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces. Concussion may be caused by either a direct or indirect blow to the head, face, neck or body causing an impulsive force transmitted to the head.
Although the evidence of concussion is not as evident in hockey as in football codes it is still up there as an injury that a player may experience. This hockey writer is one casualty. Because of the contact nature of the game especially in tackling situations that a player can receive major or minor head trauma. As a result of major head trauma immediate treatment is eminent due to stoppage of play. However minor head trauma is sometimes shrugged off when experienced and the player simply choosing to continue to play thinking nothing of it. Although this may well be the case as it is minor it is critical that as a player you gauge post incident any changes to your body’s health as the signs of concussion may be there and as a result the future damage this may cause may be unnoticed.
Long term effects of concussion are serious and therefore it is the responsibility of players to treat any sign of concussion seriously. Research has been stepped up in this area of long term effects of concussion. Generally results indicate where there is consistent or severe concussion there is abnormal brain wave activity for years after a concussion, as well partial wasting away of the motor pathways, which can lead to significant attention problems. Links have been made also more recently to Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Therefore it is important for every hockey player to know what the symptoms are. These symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following the injury. The signs of a concussion may include:
- brief loss of consciousness after the injury
- memory problems
- confusion
- drowsiness or feeling sluggish
- dizziness
- double vision or blurred vision
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- sensitivity to light or noise
- balance problems
- slowed reaction to stimuli
So what are the keys to treating concussion:
- Know you may have it even if this not obvious immediately.
- The sooner you are diagnosed correctly, the better the chances for a good recovery.
If you are a hockey official ensure the relevant ‘concussion policy ‘ is accessible and communicated to the local hockey community.
For information regarding this policy in Australia click here
For information regarding this policy in New Zealand click here
Source: various
