The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was created in the early 1900s to regulate the rules of college sports and serve as a protective entity for student-athletes. The NCAA has served as an accountability mechanism for member schools and has taken an active role in collecting data to improve our understanding of sports injuries, especially brain injuries.
NCAA Brain Injury Data
The term ‘brain injury’ encompasses a large spectrum of injuries, from mild non-concussive injuries with no immediate signs to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can cause permanent disability. The NCAA concussion safety checklist defines a sport-related concussion as a traumatic brain injury that is caused by a direct blow to the head, neck, or body resulting in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain that occurs in sports and exercise-related activities.
In 1982, the NCAA began the Injury Surveillance Program (ISP), a data collection initiative to monitor injury trends more effectively inform measures taken to protect student-athletes. One ISP study found that the highest reported injury rates occurred in men’s ice hockey and women’s soccer. Men were injured more frequently from body contact, and women were injured more frequently with equipment. A recent study from the NCAA-collected data has shown that the most reported injuries were concussions, torn hamstrings, and sprained ankles. Furthermore, a study has found a positive correlation of data between recovery time and the number of symptoms, meaning the more symptoms of a head injury, the longer recovery time is likely to be, and vice versa.
In 2016, concerns arose that the Association was not fulfilling its duty to protect athletes, particularly regarding brain injuries. The legal action taken against the NCAA in 2016 resulted in a settlement that provides free testing and evaluation of players who played for an NCAA school during and before 2016. These increased efforts to test and evaluate athletes further improved the data around player injuries and fueled even more research regarding sports injuries.
The data collected as a result of the ISP and the 2016 NCAA settlement have improved our understanding and management of head injuries. We now know that identifying a head injury early may minimize recovery time for the player and reduce the amount time that they are benched due to injury. The cumulative damage of multiple brain injuries is also better understood. Repetitive injuries over the course of months or years, even non-concussive injuries, can cause damage similar to more severe TBIs.
Exacerbated symptoms from repeated brain injury are known as second-impact syndrome(SIS). SIS occurs when a second brain injury is sustained before the initial injury can completely heal. The healing process for a concussion can take weeks, and impatient athletes may return to practice and play before the healing is complete. Though it is rare, second-impact syndrome is serious. SIS is usually fatal, and those who survive typically suffer lifelong disability.
Symptoms of Brain Injury in Athletes
The symptoms of brain injury, like the injury itself, can vary greatly depending on the type of injury (penetrating or impact), the location of the injury in the brain, and the individual person. However, common physical and behavioral signs of a mild to moderate brain injury are:
- Headache
- Nausea and/or Vomiting
- Blurred Vision
- Balance Problems
- Speech Problems
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Brief Loss of Consciousness
Psychologically, some people may also experience mood fluctuations, a change in sleeping patterns, and anxiety or depression. In more severe cases, an athlete might experience more concerning symptoms like:
- Pupil Dilation
- Seizures
- Numbness in Extremities
- Clear Drainage From Nose or Ear
- Behavioral Changes
- Significant Confusion
- Loss of Consciousness
Any of these signs indicate that the athlete should be seen by a medical provider immediately and be pulled from play pending medical clearance and full compliance with the NCAA return to play requirements. The return to play checklist is in place to prevent incidents of second injury without adequate time for the initial injury to heal. Compliance with NCAA guidelines decreases the chance of exacerbated symptoms and SIS. However, if programs are not strictly following NCAA guidelines and the NCAA is not diligent in ensuring compliance, lives can be destroyed.
Advocating for Student Athletes
Collegiate athletes frequently attend school on athletic scholarships and may not have the financial resources to attend school otherwise. Some scholarships require athletes to keep certain grade point averages and perform well in their sport. Brain injuries impact a student athlete’s ability to attend class, complete homework, and participate in their sport. With all this pressure to perform, the temptation to cut corners around healing time is strong.
Professional athletes have unions to advocate for and protect their rights to safety. Collegiate athletes should be able to rely on their coaches, academic support staff, and the larger NCAA accountability systems to protect student-athlete safety and well-being.
If you or a loved one have suffered a serious head injury, the lawyers of Shrader & Associates LLP can help. We have years of experience representing the rights of those treated unfairly. Reach out to our compassionate legal team today to schedule a consultation.