Playing With a Concussion Could Double Recovery Time

Amy Clay, School Psychologist 
(Brunson Elementary, The Downtown School, Wiley Middle & Parkland High)


Over recent years, we have seen an increasing awareness of concussions and other types of head injury.  The CDC has done some excellent work in this area, with their HeadsUp! program for athletes and they have a wealth of information available on their website about concussions.  One thing that the CDC makes clear is that ALL concussions should be taken seriously.  Certainly not all head injuries have lasting effects, but some do.

New findings from research published in the journal Pediatrics reinforce the CDC's stance that all concussions should be taken seriously.

Playing With Concussion Delays Recovery Time

Although this was not a large study, the findings are powerful.  It was reported that student athletes suffering a concussion who were immediately removed from play - which is the first step in the CDC's HeadsUp! program - took 22 to days to recover.  However, students who were permitted to continue playing after taking a hit took 44 days to recover from their concussion symptoms.  Removing student athletes from play immediately following a head injury may not always be the popular choice, but taking this simple step can cut recovery time in half.

If you'd like to read more about the CDC's HeadsUp! program, you can find information here:

CDC - HeadsUp!


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