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"The best you can do is REDUCE the amount of work your brain does by resting, so it can heal." —Rosemarie Scolaro Moser, PhD, & long time hockey mom work, reading, homework, tests, computnausea, fatigue, confusion, mental foggiers, video games, phones, texting, travel, ness, and amnesia (memory loss). Even going out of the house, driving, parties, the mild sensation referred to as feeling having friends over, or any kind of physi"dinged" is considered a concussion. cal exercise. That is why, when in doubt, sit them For some who experience light or out. If a coach or parent suspect a concussound sensitivity, sitting in a dark, quiet sion, remove the athlete from play and room may be necessary. As for TV, no TV seek a medical consultation before ever or very time-limited TV, like listening to returning to play. a sitcom while resting on the couch. But Michael Stuart, the vice chair of orthodefinitely no watching sports or intense pedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in movies that require susRochester, Minn., and tained visual attention the chief medical offiand tracking. cer for USA Hockey, The trick is to apply emphasizes the imporrest immediately after tance of concussion the concussion. Too awareness and proper often, athletes say management, especially they feel fine after 5 in youth players. or 10 minutes and try "It is wrong to think to return to the game. that young brains It's a bad idea because bounce back faster after some of the sympa concussion," Stuart toms of a concussion says. "In fact, we know don't become visible that young players may Heidi Taggart, left, and her mother, Dorothy Bedford, knew there was until 24 hours more or take longer to recover something wrong after Heidi was later. And if you conand have longer lasting hit in the head by her teammate's tinue to trudge through symptoms than adult stick in warm ups. your regular activities, players. That is why it despite the headache and mental foggiis so critical that we take concussions ness, your symptoms could be harder to seriously and ensure a more cautious kick, lasting for months, and resulting in approach with kids." post-concussion syndrome. Any athlete with a suspected concusOften parents and athletes resist the sion should see a licensed health care recommendation of comprehensive rest. professional who deals with sports conIn some cases, they are not properly cussions. After that, REST. No school, The Symptoms Of A Concussion Headache or "pressure" in the head Nausea or vomiting Balance problems or dizziness Bothered by light Bothered by noise Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy Difficulty paying attention Memory problems Confusion Does not "feel right" advised by the school, team or doctor. There have been numerous studies conducted over the years that show that youth players who return to the game or to school too soon after a concussion, without a significant down time, are the ones who are more likely to complain of headaches and slowed mental processing for weeks or months later. It is obvious that if you want to get better quickly and avoid persistent symptoms, you need to rest now, not later.N Rosemarie Moser is the director, RSM Psychology Center, and the director of Research Programs at the International Brain Research Foundation. What To Look For From Concussed Athlete Appears dazed or stunned Forgets an instruction Moves clumsily Loses consciousness (even briefly) Can't recall events prior to hit or fall Is confused about assignment or position Is unsure of game, score or opponent Answers questions slowly Shows behavior or personality changes Can't recall events after hit or fall Taken from the Centers For Disease Control's Heads Up: Concussion In Youth Sports USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM march. 2013 27