We recently watched a seminar by Dr. Alan Pearce - an Australian neuroscientist on the latest research of concussion and CTE. We went in thinking what many others did, which was that if you get lots of concussions while playing sport, you'll develop CTE. We came out of this seminar realising this is not the case!
Concussion
Concussion is a defined as a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion occurs when different parts of the brain move at different speeds creating significant stretching of the brain tissue, which can be damaging.
According to a Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported realised in July 2024, concussion can occur in nearly every sport. In 2021-22 there were almost 2300 hospitalisations for concussions in Australia, with 70% occurring in males, 30% females. Sport specific - 33% occurred while playing some sort of football and 18% occurring while cycling.
Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
The current consensus of PCS is that a concussion occurs, concussion symptoms are present, and then symptoms persist after the expected recovery time. PCS can affect mental health, experiences of anxiety, and depression. sleep, brain fog, and overall functioning!
We don’t always put together that our head knock from our club game could effect our mental health and wellbeing months after the initial injury occurred but it can. It's important to keep track of any head knocks or injuries.
Try to keep a log of head injuries on your phone and share these with the health professionals you see often (e.g. physiotherapist, psychologist, doctor, sport medics). These steps may help track potential post concussion syndrome and mental health effects.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma.
We can’t diagnose CTE until individuals have passed. In Australia, the Australian Sports Brain Bank has studied around 100 brains. Therefore, we are still in the early stages of research and building a consensus around criteria, detection, and treatment.
Anyone could be diagnosed with CTE after death, regardless of concussion diagnoses across their playing career for athletes. Research conducted in America and football (NFL) have found increased risk factors of number of years playing and position potentially influencing risk of CTE diagnosis. However, again we are still in the early stages of understanding CTE holistically.
Assessing Concussions
There are a number of questionnaires and tools available to assess for concussions. We've listed a number of them below. The CRT6 is the only one able to be used by non health professionals.
The Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT6)
For children, adolescents, and adults.
To be used by non health professionals
The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6)
The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (Child - SCAT6)
The Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6)
Returning to Play after Concussion
At the community and youth level, the Australian Sports Commission has put together a stepped protocol around the path to return to play after a concussion.
They recommend 21 days or 3 weeks post injury before returning to full contact play. After a concussion we may need to speak with our parents, teachers, coaches, to ensure we are well rested to reduce the risk of re-injury.
There is alot to consider when it comes to playing sport, head knocks, and brain injuries. We are still in the early stages of understanding how we can prevent and treat brain injuries that occur during sporting performances. But as they say, if in doubt, sit it out! We only have one brain and it is the powerhouse of all physical and mental wellbeing.
If you have any questions or are concerned about your brain health please reach out, we are more than happy to act as a resource and link you up with trained professionals in this area.
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