‘Concussion is the public health issue of our time and the most common form of brain injury’, this was the message iterated by brain injury specialists Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in Leinster House recently, at the hearings on the Implications of Concussion in Sport, held by the Joint Committee on Health and Children.
Speaking at the hearing was Barbara O’ Connell, CEO Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, she said, “Campaigning about concussion is a call for a change in concussion education and guidelines, along with an increased awareness among young players, coaches and parents.
Dublin football player
and ABI Ireland Ambassador Michael Darragh Macauley was also present
at Leinster house to talk about concussion from a players perspective; he said
“As players we are our own worst
enemies when it comes to sitting out with a concussion. Aconcussed player has
impaired decision making when you are asking them are they fine, so we are in no fit state to make the correct call. The
decision for a player to sit out after a knock
to the head must be decided by the coach or management team. Don’t leave the
decision up to us – Take us out of the game”.
Less than 10% of
concussions are actual knock-outs, leaving 90% of concussions to be detected
by the coach or reported by the player. To tackle the concussion crisis we must
give players, coaches and parents the tools to
recognise the signs and symptoms of a concussed
player; and get these players off the pitch.
View full press release here
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