The “Impact” of Concussions in Athletes Lives The amount of concussions in all high school sports is rising by 15% annually (“Remarkable”). This startling statistic is one that can be seen locally in Superior High School among student athletes. A concussion is a head injury that occurs when the brain takes a blow, which can happen in a variety of different ways, from getting hit in the head with a basketball to slipping on the ice outside. Symptoms of a concussion typically include headaches, nausea, fatigue, memory loss, and or lack of coordination. With concussions being as prevalent as they are in high school sports, athletes and those surrounding the athlete need to make sure the right precautions are taken to let the brain heal correctly. Athletes have a strong drive for the sport they play and sometimes …show more content…
In an article by the US National Library of Medicine they say that, “The wording of “head impact” rather than “concussion” was used to limit variability in responses attributable to differences in the athlete’s ability to recognize which head impacts did or did not result in a concussion” (Kroshus). These are small details that can make a lot of pressure build up. When it’s not referred to as a concussion, the athlete uses that to lie to themselves and everyone else. Coaches may not realize their side comments have such a big effect in the athletes mind. “One time my coach said, get on the line, you’re doing sprints just like everyone else, even though I wasn’t cleared yet” (Kittelson). This is an example that shows more than pressure, it shows forcefully making the athlete participate when they aren’t cleared to do so. This is going further than just side comments and is something that is not justifiable under any circumstances. Coaches should be looking out for the well being of the athlete ahead of everything else including winning