a disruption in neurological functioning following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body resulting in extreme acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull.

This causes a biochemical imbalance within brain cells as well as decreased blood flow and temporary energy deficits within the brain. 

Following a suspected concussion, a player should be immediately removed from play, assessed and placed on complete rest in order to recover from the energy deficit.  Studies have shown that any activity, both mental and physical, in the immediate days following a concussion can delay the process of recovery and should be avoided until the athlete is completely symptom free.

 

that occurs in all levels of athletic participation. Concussions may actually go un-diagnosed, as they do not always display outward or obvious signs and many athletes are unaware of either the symptoms or the dangers of playing with a concussion. Inappropriate management of a concussion can lead to increased risk of subsequent, more severe and potentially permanent, or even fatal, brain injury.

Unfortunately, there is no scan, MRI, or X-ray that can detect a concussion. The major problem with concussions is that symptoms, meaning how someone feels, does not coincide with the energy levels in the brain. Most people feel better long before their brain has actually recovered to the point that they are actually safe to return to their sport. This is where the benefits of baseline testing come in as the most important step towards proper concussion management. For more information on baseline testing, please click here.