What can athletes do to lower concussion risk?
In Lynbrook, NY, athletes can reduce—but not completely eliminate—the risk of concussion by combining proper equipment, safe technique, rule compliance, responsible coaching, and prompt reporting of symptoms. Prevention works best as a shared responsibility among athletes, parents, coaches, officials, schools, and sports programs.
A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head or body that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull. It can happen without loss of consciousness and may occur in contact sports, recreational activities, practices, or games.
The goal is not to make sports risk-free. The goal is to reduce avoidable impacts and ensure that a possible concussion is recognized early.
Does wearing a helmet prevent a concussion?
A properly fitted helmet helps reduce the risk of skull fracture and certain serious head injuries, but no helmet can prevent every concussion. Helmets should match the activity, be worn consistently, and be replaced after a significant impact or when damaged.
A helmet should fit snugly without shifting when the athlete moves. It should sit level on the head, cover the areas it is designed to protect, and be secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a bicycle helmet for a sport that requires a different type of helmet does not provide appropriate protection.
Protective equipment may also include:
- Mouthguards for activities where dental or facial impacts are possible
- Face protection appropriate for the sport
- Padding and guards designed for the athlete’s position and activity
- Proper footwear to improve traction and reduce avoidable falls
Equipment is only one part of prevention. Athletes should be cautious of products that claim to eliminate concussion risk.
How do rules and coaching reduce head impacts?
Rules that discourage head contact, dangerous checking, spearing, illegal tackles, and reckless collisions can lower the number of high-risk impacts. Officials and coaches should enforce these rules consistently rather than treating unsafe contact as a normal part of competition.
Athletes should learn to:
- Keep the head out of tackling or checking techniques
- Use the body and proper positioning instead of leading with the head
- Follow instructions for falling, landing, blocking, and making contact
- Avoid unnecessary retaliation or collisions after a play
- Stop participating if equipment becomes loose or damaged
Practice structure also matters. Programs can reduce exposure by limiting unnecessary contact drills, teaching skills progressively, allowing adequate recovery, and using non-contact training when possible. Younger athletes may benefit from learning movement, balance, and spatial awareness before being introduced to more forceful contact.
A positive team culture is especially valuable. Athletes are more likely to report symptoms when coaches praise honesty rather than toughness and when teammates understand that sitting out after a head impact is a safety decision, not a sign of weakness.
Should athletes report a “ding” or feeling “not right”?
Yes. A brief “ding,” seeing stars, feeling stunned, or having a headache after an impact should not be dismissed. Concussion symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, confusion, slowed reactions, unusual irritability, memory problems, balance difficulty, or feeling unusually tired.
Symptoms may begin immediately or appear hours later. Parents and coaches should also watch for changes that an athlete may not recognize, such as repeating questions, moving slowly, appearing unusually quiet, losing focus, or acting out of character.
If a concussion is suspected:
1. Remove the athlete from play.
2. Do not allow same-day return to sports.
3. Arrange an evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider.
4. Monitor symptoms and provide written guidance to the school and coaching staff.
5. Keep the athlete away from activities that could cause another head impact until cleared to progress.
An athlete should never be pressured to hide symptoms or “test it out” by returning to play.
What are the emergency warning signs?
Most suspected concussions require prompt medical evaluation, but certain symptoms call for emergency care. After a head or body impact, seek emergency help for:
- A worsening headache that does not go away
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
- Seizure or convulsions
- Weakness, numbness, slurred speech, or poor coordination
- One pupil appearing larger than the other
- Double vision
- Increasing drowsiness or difficulty waking up
- Loss of consciousness, especially with ongoing symptoms
Do not leave an athlete alone if serious symptoms are developing. Avoid allowing the person to drive.
How should an athlete return to sports after a concussion?
Return to play should be gradual and medically supervised. New York school sports rules require removal from athletic activity when a concussion is suspected, and an athlete must meet the required medical clearance standards before returning.
A typical progression begins with ordinary daily activities, followed by light aerobic exercise, sport-specific movement, more strenuous non-contact activity, practice, and finally competition. Each stage generally takes at least 24 hours, and the athlete should move forward only when symptoms do not return or worsen.
If symptoms come back, the athlete should stop, rest as directed, and discuss the setback with the healthcare provider managing the recovery. Returning too quickly increases the risk of another injury before the brain has recovered.
Returning to the classroom may also need to happen in stages. Temporary adjustments such as reduced screen time, rest breaks, lighter homework, or extra time for tests can help a student recover without complete isolation from school.
Can strength, flexibility, or chiropractic care prevent concussions?
Good physical preparation can improve balance, coordination, posture, and the ability to control movement, which may reduce some injury risks. Conditioning should include sport-specific technique, leg and trunk strength, mobility, visual awareness, and safe landing or falling skills.
However, no exercise program or hands-on treatment can guarantee concussion prevention. Chiropractic care may address certain musculoskeletal concerns, but a suspected concussion requires assessment within an appropriate medical concussion-management process. A neck adjustment or treatment for muscle soreness should not be used as a substitute for evaluation of brain-injury symptoms.
Athletes with previous concussions, frequent headaches, balance concerns, vision problems, or lingering symptoms should have those issues addressed before returning to collision or high-speed activities.
What can local families do before the season begins?
Before practices and games begin, families can ask whether the program has a written concussion plan, trained coaches, emergency procedures, and a clear return-to-play process. Parents should provide accurate health information, discuss prior concussions, and make sure athletes understand that reporting symptoms is expected.
Seasonal conditions also deserve attention. Wet playing surfaces, early darkness, cold-weather stiffness, crowded sidelines, and poor visibility can increase fall or collision risks. Proper field checks, adequate lighting, appropriate clothing, hydration, and warm-up routines support safer participation in the community’s outdoor and indoor sports.
The most reliable prevention strategy is consistent: reduce avoidable head impacts, use equipment correctly, teach safe technique, enforce the rules, and remove an athlete from play whenever a concussion is possible.
