Concussions are very common health issues in the public and can have serious impact on individuals both long-term and short-term. It is therefore important to consider how it can be prevented. In this article, we will be looking at different risk factors of concussion and how they can be prevented. We will be looking at reducing concussion risk both in and outside of sports settings.

Introduction

What are concussions?

A concussion or mild traumatic brain injury is a head injury that affects brain function, and it is quite common among all age groups.¹ However, young people between the ages of 15-24 are at most risk.²

Concussions are most common in settings related to sports and recreation, in work settings, motor vehicle crashes, and falls at home (which particularly affects the elderly).¹

Concussion risk factors

As mentioned above, younger people are at a higher risk for concussion, which could be both due to the brain structure and participation in high-risk activities that may lead to concussion. A previous history of concussion also increases the risk of repeated injury and extended recovery time.¹

Risk reduction strategies

Sports injuries are very common, most individuals that play sports tend to get injured at least once.³

Some examples of ways that a concussion can be caused in sports include players colliding with one another during tackling and during headers in football. During headers, individuals may not only hit their head against the ball but also may bang their heads against another player’s head when jumping up in the air to get the ball at the same time.³

Protective equipment

Using protective equipment such as mouthguards and helmets during sports helps prevent concussions. As new protective equipment is developed, it is important that its effectiveness is evaluated to ensure maximum protection.³

Age limits and rule changes

Another way of reducing the risk of concussion that is currently being researched is having age limits on risky sports moves (e.g., tackling and headers) so younger people, who are more susceptible to a concussion, are discouraged from performing them.³ In some schools, rules are implemented in football matches to reduce the risk of injury. Rule changes can be put in place to prevent individuals from having to brace to absorb the impact of unexpected contact, like being tackled from behind, which may also prevent injury.³

Diet

Diet is also an important factor, as those with better diets tend to be less susceptible to injury and to have faster recovery if they are injured. Having a diet high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents has been shown to be particularly beneficial. Curcumin, which is found in foods like turmeric, has been seen to have benefits in sports-related concussions.⁴ 

Reducing falls in the elderly community

Improving vision

Poor vision is one factor that may increase the risk of falls in the elderly. Cataracts are common in the elderly community, and getting checked and treated for cataracts by a medical professional could decrease the risk of a fall. Cataracts can be treated with surgery, resulting in improved vision and reduced risk of falls.⁵

Hydration, exercise and medication review

Postural hypotension is also a common cause of falls. To prevent this, it is important for individuals to stay hydrated and see the GP for regular check-ups and treatment prescriptions.⁵

Exercise is also extremely important for increasing strength and balance. Individuals may benefit from exercising whilst supervised and guided by a physiotherapist. Keep in mind that a  GP referral would be required for this.⁵

Checking for hazards and appropriate footwear

There are many hazards within a home that could increase the risk of falls. These include slippery floors, poor lighting, and loose rugs which might cause one to trip over. A potential way of preventing this is by getting a home safety assessment carried out by an occupational therapist.⁵

Footwear is also an important factor for fall prevention. It is best to wear shoes that have slip-resistant soles, low heels, and a fastening to keep the feet anchored in the shoes and prevent slipping and falling. Wearing just socks around the house should be discouraged for the elderly.⁵

Education

Most schools and colleges should provide educational presentations on the risks and consequences of concussions, especially for PE lessons and sports clubs. Teachers and coaches should be trained on how to prevent and manage concussions. However, as we have mentioned previously, sports are not the only way that someone may get a concussion, but most concussion education provided is only based around this.² Hence, exploring more than just sports-related concussions should be mandatory.

A basic course in Neuroscience where people can gain a better understanding of head injuries and be discouraged to take part in activities which would increase their risk would help with concussion prevention.²

Educational courses could help address dangerous myths and misconceptions within the public, for example, that being hit a second time can restore lost memories, a response given by 46% of people in a recent survey.²

Reducing multiple risk behaviours 

Individuals, particularly teenagers that engage in risk behaviours including smoking, drinking alcohol, bullying, fighting, and using illegal drugs lead to an increased risk of a concussion. This is likely because this group of people are more likely to take physical risks like not wearing a helmet whilst on a bike causing an increased risk of getting a concussion.⁶

Behavioural interventions may therefore help to prevent concussions in this specific population.⁶

Summary

There are many risk factors that increase the likelihood of getting a concussion including sports, falls amongst the elderly, and multiple risk behaviours. Possible ways of minimising these risks range from wearing protective equipment and improving diet, to cataract surgery, concussion education, and behavioural interventions.