ICSSPE / CIEPSS – Advancements in Concussion Pathophysiology – New Methods for Brain Protection in Sport

Medizin

By GRR 0

The way concussions are thought of, treated, and rehabilitated in sport is changing quickly. Five major international sports federations, including FIFA and the IOC, met in Zurich in November for the Fourth International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport.

The two-day event developed new guidelines for use by organisations at all levels of sport. Professor Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer said: “What we are expecting is to develop very practical, simple, easy to use tools that could be applied for coaches, for the paramedical personnel on the sidelines and in grassroots, where there is little medical attention. So we’re trying to develop simple educational materials for all involved in football and disseminate them through FIFA development programmes”.

in which researchers compared cutting-edge brain scans of 12 elite male German soccer players who had not experienced a recorded concussion with 11 competitive swimmers who also had no concussion history. Using high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the research team determined that the soccer players suffered altered white-matter quality in their brains.

Pieces of research like this are leading professionals at all levels to gather together and determine the best methods for brain protection in sport. Last month the American Academy of Neurology updated its guidelines for evaluating and managing athletes with concussions for the first time since 1997. “If in doubt, sit it out”, said Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher of the University of Michigan Medical School.

Multiple events will continue to advance concussion pathophysiology in 2013. This month, the University of Texas at Arlington hosted it’s second annual Concussion Summit, welcoming sports medicine professionals from around the world to discuss concussions in youth sport.

In June, the Emerging Frontiers in Concussions Conference at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will work for advancements in assessment, management, and rehabilitation.

ICSSPE / CIEPSS

Hanns-Braun-Strasse
Friesenhaus II
14053 Berlin
Germany

Tel:+ 49-30-36418850
Fax:+ 49-30-8056386
E-mail:icsspe@icsspe.org

ICSSPE/CIEPSS

author: GRR