A concussion is an injury to the brain that is most often the result of sudden blow or jolt. A concussion cause temporary impairment to how the brain functions. Symptoms include:

• headache
• dizziness
• vomiting, confusion, acting dazed, forgetting what happened before or after the injury
• losing consciousness -- A person does NOT need to be knocked out or lose consciousness to have had a concussion

Not all bumps to the head are concussions, but it's important to take concussions seriously. If you suspect a concussion see your family doctor or another healthcare professional for evaluation.

Protecting Student Athletes

a partner in the Nebraska Sports Concussion Network, a collaboration of hospitals, athletic trainers, high school athletic programs and doctors. The program's goal is to implement neurocognitive testing in athletic programs and give coaches, trainers and doctors tools to ensure safer, more consistent management of athletes with suspected concussions.

ImPACT Testing

ImPACT concussion testing is a computer-based neurocognitive exam designed specifically for the managment of sport-related concussions. Student athletes take a preseason baseline test under normal conditions. If an athlete sustains a concussion, post-injury testing is done by an ImPACT credentialled doctor or the school's athletic trainer. Comparison scores help medical professionals to determine when it is safe for the athlete to return to play.

Nebraska Concussion Awareness Law

Effective July 1, 2012, LB 260 requires There are 3 primary components to the Nebraska Concussion Awareness Act:

The law has three parts:

Education: Concussion education on recognizing signs and symptoms of a concussion and how to seek proper medical treatment must be made available to all coaches. Parents and athletes must also receive concussion information annually which includes the signs and symptoms of a concussion, the risks of sustaining a concussion and actions an athlete should take if they sustain a concussion, including notifying coaches.

Removal of Athlete: An athlete with signs or symptoms of a concussion, thereby being "reasonably suspected" of having sustained a concussion moved be removed from participation and can not return until evaluated by an appropriate licensed health professional. The athlete must receive a return to play written and signed by the appropriate health professional and also signed by the athletes parents.  

More Resources

Nebraska Sports Concussion Network

ImPact Program