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Sledding and tobogganing

Sledding and tobogganing are fun ways to stay active this winter. Proper safety strategies are important for preventing sledding and tobogganing-related accidents. Some safety tips include wearing a helmet, ensuring the hill is free of any obstacles and using sledding equipment which is in good condition.

Acquired Cognitive-Communication Disorder and Post-Concussion Syndrome

After a single concussion 15-30% of individuals do not recover within the expected time frame. This experience is termed “Post-Concussion Syndrome.” During this time, some athletes may experience challenges with cognition and communication, known as “Acquired Cognitive-Communication Disorder.” Speech-language pathologists can serve as an important part of the post-concussion care team to assist with cognitive…

Using machine learning to diagnose concussions

Diagnosing concussions in athletes and deciding on return-to-play strategies often relies on subjective measurements. The Concussion Index can help reduce subjectivity by using brain electrical activity and machine learning to diagnose concussions. Improved diagnosis reliability can help reduce concussion-related disabilities in athletes.

How coaches can support concussed athletes

Many coaches are familiar with the risk of concussions in sport, but may be unaware of how to best support an athlete through a concussion. Research shows that coaches can support concussed athletes by understanding their organization’s or school’s concussion protocol, and by actively working with healthcare professionals to support athletes’ concussion recovery.

Biomarkers for concussion diagnosis

Concussion diagnosis largely relies on subjective experiences. But new research is being conducted to measure physiological effects of concussion through biomarkers in athletes’ saliva. This approach could change the way concussions are diagnosed and help monitor athletes’ brain health post-concussion.

Concussion in soccer

Neurogenerative disease is more common in former professional soccer players than in the general population. However, disease risk varies by player position and career length, and this pattern has remained consistent for decades. These findings can help inform strategies to reduce head impact exposure for athletes. Follow SIRC on social media as we share stories…

Making contact sports safer

Concussion is a serious concern in contact sports. A New Zealand research team of clinicians, sport scientists, and engineers is exploring the potential of soft-shell headgear and coaching programs that could make sports like rugby safer for all players, and especially youth.

Acquired Cognitive-Communication Disorders and Post-Concussion Syndrome in sport: What you should know 

Yound female athlete being evaluated for a concussion

Sport-Related Concussion has become recognized as a major health problem that affects millions of people around the world annually (Wang et al., 2016). In Canada, sport and recreational activities account for a large proportion of concussions, particularly amongst children, adolescents and young adults (Government of Canada 2018).   Most concussed individuals recover within 4 weeks. Typical…

Pickleball problems

For racquet sports like pickleball, concussion awareness may not always be a top concern. But after one player’s fall, all it took was a trip to the emergency room and a previously undetected tumour for Pickleball Hamilton to realize how important concussion protocols are—in any sport. Read the story that shifted Pickleball Hamilton’s perspective, and…

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