The PFA NI emphasise immediate removal from play with an emphasis on the “If In Doubt, Sit It Out” rule.

Concussion and head injury is a serious health concern for players and one that still lacks proper awareness in football. Adequate health and safety protocols, as well as industry-tailored approach to research, are still missing.

After a suspected concussion, players must not return to play the same day and should be assessed by a healthcare professional within 24 hours. A gradual return to activity program is required, prioritising education/work over sport, and a minimum of 21 days is recommended before returning to contact matches. If symptoms persist after 28 days, further medical advice is necessary.

• Remove from play: Immediately take the player out of the game or training session. Do not let them return to play that day, even if symptoms improve.
• Seek medical assessment: Have the player assessed by a healthcare professional within 24 hours, or call NHS 111 for guidance
• If any signs of a more serious injury are present (seizure, severe headache, repeated vomiting, worsening confusion, double vision, severe neck pain, or weakness/tingling in limbs), go to A&E immediately
• Ensure safety: The player should not be left alone for the first 24 hours and should be supervised.

Below is a helpful document on concussion guidelines from the English Football Association

Braineye

The PFA NI have partnered with Brain Eye to make available their app that can measure, train and manage your brain health. The app allows you to receive accurate, real-time results that can help you detect any potential problems.

If the app identifies changes to brain health, then it shows a red display suggesting that the player should seek the opinion of a medical professional if they are worried about the result. A green screen indicates that the player is in a healthy range.

“It is up to the player and/or the doctor to decide if the player leaves the pitch when the app shows a red display, however we are of the opinion that they should leave the pitch and seek medical attention,” Prof Fielding said.

The app also provides a comprehensive summary of the results, including detailed graphics, which a player can share with a doctor or medical staff to assist them with decision making. BrainEye’s app is developed by experts and has been tested over 60,000 times. In a soon to be published clinical trial, the app showed 100 percent sensitivity to head trauma.  

The importance of identifying a brain injury quickly 

A brain injury such as a concussion is a serious health risk. When not treated correctly, it can lead to long-term negative effects such as severe headaches, cognitive issues or depression. For players it can affect the quality of their performance and the length of their career.

When someone sustains a brain injury, they should be removed from play immediately. If a player returns to play too soon, they risk suffering a second-hit syndrome which increases the long-term negative health effects or could even prove to be deadly.

According to research, 63 percent of players suffer from concussion during their career, and 82 percent of those players have more than two concussions. Women’s players are at a higher risk of suffering a concussion than men. 

Braineye app

You can read more about Braineye here

Download the Braineye App directly from the App Spore.

Baseline Testing

What is Baseline Testing?

Baseline testing measures your brain function in a normal, healthy state — before a concussion occurs.

If you happen to suffer a concussion, doctors will test you again and use your scores to help decide:

• What type of concussion you may have.
• How to create a treatment plan customised to you.
• When it’s safe for you to return to your sport or activities.

Athletes take the test, called ImPACT, when they don’t have concussion symptoms. Ideally, you would take the test before your sports season starts. (Whether athletes take the test yearly or every other year depends on their age.)

What Is ImPACT?

ImPACT stands for immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing. You take the test on a computer, and it takes about 20 minutes.

ImPACT tests your verbal and visual memory and your brain processing and reaction time. At the end of the test, you get a score.

ImPACT doesn’t diagnose a concussion. Instead, doctors use it as a tool to help manage concussions. If you suffer a concussion, having a baseline score to compare against helps your doctor decide:

• How to treat you.
• What you need to do to get better.
• When it’s safe for you to return to your sport.

Children ages 10 and up take the adult ImPACT test. 

Then, if you get a concussion, your doctor gives you the test again and compares the results against your earlier test. Since concussion doesn’t show up on CT scans or MRIs, this test is one of the only measurements we have.

Concussion experts who are at University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) developed ImPACT, and it’s the test sports medicine programs all over the world use.

To book a baseline test you can contact info@pfani.com or our medical partners at Sports Medicine NI directly.

Or watch the video from UPMC here