A single mild concussion during amateur sports does not cause long-term cognitive impairment. last examination found.
This conclusion may seem contradictory a number of research on head injuries and concussions in sports. But a more in-depth have a look at the study shows that its findings aren’t all that different: Experiencing repeated concussions is not a very good thing.
The study is an element of a large-scale community-based study longitudinal study how healthy brains age and what aspects may increase the danger of dementia. Given the recent high-profile court cases brought by athletes with brain injuries and emerging evidence that concussion impairs cognitive function later lifeIt is smart to investigate previous concussion cases in such a long-term study.
The study asked greater than 15,000 people aged 50-90 to recall previous head injuries, including where and the way they occurred (e.g. playing sports, a automotive accident) – together with symptoms akin to lack of consciousness, dizziness and blurred vision. Participants’ behaviour and cognitive abilities were also tested annually for 4 years.
The results showed that one mild concussion while playing sports did not cause any behavioral or cognitive problems later in life. In fact, individuals who suffered one mild concussion while playing sports performed barely higher on some tests, probably due to the overall advantages of standard exercise.
However, because the variety of historical concussions increased, this effect faded and performance declined. Concussions outside of sports showed the identical basic pattern—one concussion did not result in worse performance, but repeated concussions did.
Basically, irrespective of the way you get a concussion, the more concussions you get, the greater your risk of a worse long-term end result. That’s why skilled athletes, especially in touch sportsare at greater risk of brain injury.
The study results are complicated. They include a combination of results, divided into different groups with different numbers of concussions.
The undeniable fact that one concussion did not cause cognitive deficits does not necessarily mean that there is no such thing as a injury. There is an idea cognitive reservethe concept that the brain is resilient enough that it can withstand some damage and still function normally.
This is a very good thing. It’s a bit like a tire that can still function with a small lack of air. If you reach a degree where an excessive amount of air escapes and the tire is flat, it won’t function anymore. In the meantime, you may also notice a change within the tire’s performance.
The same goes for any mild brain injury. A little bit and the brain can handle it. But over time, for those who add more trauma, performance drops and also you reach a degree where the brain can turn into “flat.”
That is why it’s so essential to “recognize and take away” players from playing following a sports-related concussion.
Having one concussion doesn’t routinely mean you’ll develop problems later in life. But the more concussions or mild brain injuries you might have, the more severe the consequences can be—whether you’re knowledgeable athlete or not.
This study only included mild concussions – Defined as a head injury followed by a lack of consciousness lasting lower than half-hour or a sense of being dazed or disoriented. More moderate or severe concussions can have a greater impact, especially if there are multiple concussions.
On the opposite hand, one mild injury does not diminish all the advantages that sports participation can have on brain health. Factors related to sports participation, akin to increased exercise AND social support They are known to have a positive impact on cognitive functions in later life.
These aspects, in addition to many other lifestyle aspects – akin to not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption and a healthy food plan – can provide protection against minor adversities.