What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.

Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.

Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Approved Curricula

CDC Heads Up: To help ensure the health and safety of young athletes, CDC developed the Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, parents and athletes involved in youth sports. The Heads Up initiative provides important information on preventing, recognizing and responding to a concussion.
National Federation of State High School Associations: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have teamed up to provide information and resources to help educate coaches, officials, parents and students on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management in high school sports.
ConcussionWise Pennsylvania: ConcussionWise™ is part of a family of online concussion education courses designed to meet the needs of athletic trainers, physicians, coaches, parents, athletes and other health care providers.
PA Athletic Trainer's Society: The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania along with the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society will be presenting FREE Approved Departments of Health and Education Regional Concussion Courses in all 12 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Districts. Read the flyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to find the answer to all your Act 101: the Safety in Youth Sports Act questions.

Concussion Resources

Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA): BIAPA has developed a Model Policy and Guidance for Pennsylvania Schools for Sports-Related Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

PA Department of Education: In accordance with Act 101 of 2011, the PA Department of Education has posted concussion related materials to their website in an effort to inform and educate student athletes, parents and coaches about the nature and risk of concussion and traumatic brain injury.

PA Senate Bill 200 Act 101: An Act establishing standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries to student athletes.

School-Wide Concussion Management: Online trainings/videos on concussion recognition, including steps to take with concussions on the field and utilizing a concussion management team.

American Academy of Pediatrics: Clinical Report: Sport-related concussion in children and adolescents.

Current Sports Medicine Reports: At-risk populations in sports-related concussion.

Journal of Athletic Training: Supporting the student-athlete’s return to the classroom after a sport-related concussion.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, funded by a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, has developed the accompanying tools to educate and prepare domestic violence programs and advocates to enhance domestic violence advocacy services and skills in working with survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of domestic violence.

Tracy's Story

As a high school basketball player, Tracy sustained two concussions within a short period of time. Tracy tells her story and emphasizes that concussions are a serious injury. Check out a two-minute video on Tracy's story.