KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — A Kalamazoo neurosurgeon says new practices and protocols to protect young athletes from concussions are generally working and awareness has never been higher.
Dr. Mark Krinock at Borgess Medical Center says teams now embrace the idea of taking a player out of a game if they have had their “bell rung.”
New policies require that players sit down and recover, sometimes for more than one game.
Krinock said the helmets are better, the pre-testing and monitoring has been improved and it’s having a positive impact on the problem. He also it’s not just a football issue. Concussions can occur in any contact sport — lacrosse, soccer and especially hockey.
He said parents should be aware of the symptoms, just in case a concussion goes undetected. There are often headaches and dizziness. They may be having trouble focusing and doing homework, they may be depressed or cranky, reaction times are slower, or they may be having trouble sleeping.
He said he would let his own child play sports, but doesn’t think contact sports are appropriate until high school, and before ninth grade, soccer players should not be allowed to use their head to redirect a ball.
