WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – As the fall high school sports season gets started the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is working with school districts to keep athletes safe when it comes to concussions. High school student athletes and their parents now need to sign an informed consent form before they can play. It indicates that they understand the risks associated with concussions.
“It’s to educate parents and athletes of what to look for when they’re at home,” said Jonathan Capone, Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the West Haven School District.
Since most concussions are not diagnosed when the athlete gets hurt, it’s important to know what symptoms to look for over the next few days. Trainers know what to look for, and they want to make sure coaches, players and parents do too.
“The headache is the big one that everybody knows about, drowsiness, sometimes being overtired, being undertired, just not sleeping as much as you normally would sleep,” said Adam Pallone, Associate Athletic Trainer at Quinnipiac University.
Coaches say the sports culture has changed, as awareness of the dangers of concussions has increased. Athletes are no longer encouraged to play through a head injury. Everyone needs to work together to prevent and treat injuries.
“We constantly communicate with the kids, that’s the key,” said Capone. “With the trainer if there is a symptom we don’t take it lightly.”
It’s something that applies to all sports, not just football. However, West Haven requires that football coaches get extra training on concussions before they can get certified. Players have updated helmets that protect them from concussions, and they no longer tackle during practice.
“There’s a lot less contact during the week than there used to be years ago,” said Capone. “Our kids very rarely go out in full equipment during the week.”
