Concussions in Athletics (eBook)

Eric E. Hall, PhD has expertise in the area of exercise psychology focusing on how physical activity affects mental health (e.g., affect and cognition) and the underlying neuroscientific mechanisms. Dr. Hall has been forming collaborations around concussion work since 2009 and has been co-principal investigator on two grants from American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. He has served on the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and is currently on the NCAA Concussion Protocol Committee. He is also on the editorial board for the journals: Psychology of Sport and Exercise as well as Sports. His excellence in research and mentorship has been recognized at Elon. Caroline J. Ketcham, PhD has expertise in the area of motor control and focuses on how movements are controlled, organized and coordinated. Her work includes assessing movement and developing therapeutic interventions for neurodiverse populations to improve coordination and integration. Caroline's expertise in balance assessment and sensorimotor integration were incorporated into Elon's concussion work 4 years ago and she has continued to lead on investigations between neurocognitive and motor function in brain injury and recovery.Together Drs. Hall and Ketcham established and Co-Direct Elon BrainCARE Research Institute with a mission to 1) help create a supportive environment for students and student-athletes to become educated concerning the potential impact of concussions through evidence based practices and research; and 2) to create health promoting environments that support resilience and positive mental wellness.Since 2012, Elon BrainCARE has resulted in over 40 presentations at regional, national and international conferences, published over 10 papers and mentored or co-mentored over 25 undergraduate students engaged in Elon BrainCARE research. In addition, Hall and Ketcham have organized and hosted annual symposia for 4 years inviting the Elon and surrounding community. The goal is to provide concussions education for parents and youth sport leaders in the area along with Elon and surrounding university concussion researchers and practitioners. Some of the seminal work from Elon BrainCARE includes an evidence informed return to learn protocol for collegiate student-athletes and understanding modifiers that affect baseline performance and recovery from a concussive injury in neurocognition, balance, gait and symptom reporting. Elon BrainCARE Research Institute not only serves as a service to sports medicine and student health staff at Elon, but also a model of co-mentored undergraduate research training for students headed into both academic and clinical health profession fields. Sports related concussions and the implications of short-and long-term outcomes is a concern to athletes, parents, coaches, academics, and health care professionals. Leading clinicians and scientists across a variety of fields have come together to collaborate around topics related to concussion education, assessment, management and treatment of head injuries that occur in sports. Athletes of all levels not only have to perform on the field, but may also have to perform in the classroom where symptoms of a concussion can have profound impacts. As health care professionals work to implement the best practices around concussive injuries, scientists assess outcomes, implications and emerging topics related to management and recovery. This book aims to gather leaders in the field of concussion assessment and management to highlight the state of evidence-based practice. In addition, authors explore emerging issues around the care of athletes in returning to play as well as returning to academic settings. Concussion assessment and management is not a one-size-fits-all concept, and topics around pre-existing factors like cultural, ethnic and sex differences are essential to consider as we attempt to change reporting behaviors and positively impact recovery and outcomes from injury. As new information continues to emerge, the education, assessment, management and treatment of concussion evolves with the health and safety of athletes taking a front seat. This book is a timely snapshot of concussion assessment and management, and it is also a leader in emerging issues in the ever-changing science and evidence-based practice of sport-related concussion research.Target Audience:This book is targeted for a wide audience including scientists and health professionals doing concussion work as well as students, parents, and newcomers to concussion education and research.