Editorial: Sports-related brain injury – learn to recognize, prevent it – The Times of Trenton

moser.JPGJonathan Lichtenstein, Amy Garry 10, of Yardley, Pa., Amy's mother Rachel and Rosemarie Moser go over an impact concussion test at Moser's RSM Psychology Center, LLC in Lawrence Township Aug. 17. Lichtenstein is on the staff at RSM Psychology Center. Moser, a renowned expert on concussions, has published a book about how parents and coaches need to change the way concussions are taught and handled in youth sports teams.

With the beginning of the new school year — and another football season at many of those schools — comes the call to be on the lookout for sports injuries, particularly concussion.

A story in The Times last month focused on the work of Dr. Rosemarie Moser, who has made it her mission to draw attention to the spate of sports-related brain injuries and their sometimes lifelong aftermath.

The neuropsychologist, a Lawrence resident, is a pioneer in youth concussion research and has spent more than 25 years studying brain injuries, staff writer Mike Davis reported. Unfortunately, there is a lot to study.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports-and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States each year.

And as many as 63 percent of high school students have already had at least one concussion, while another 500,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 visit ERs for concussion annually, according to Moser’s new book, “Ahead of the Game: The Parents’ Guide to Youth Sports Concussion.”

New Jersey recently enacted laws mandating that a concussed player or cheerleader is to be pulled from the game or practice until a concussion psychologist clears the player. School officials are required to know the symptoms of concussions, and parents must give informed consent to a child playing the sport.

In her book, Moser spells out clearly the signs that indicate concussion, what parents and coaches should look for and the importance of baseline testing. She makes the case for fundamental changes in contact sports, from the littlest leagues on up, to diminish the danger of serious injury and the likelihood of concussion.

It’s a lesson slowly dawning on the National Football League as more and more professional players join a class action suit against the league. Thousands of players say they have suffered or fear suffering brain damage from their football injuries. Some have died from that damage.

Still, there are instances of bravado, when a high school or middle school athlete will try to mask their injury from a “ding” and get right back on the field. Sometimes, parents and coaches are complicit.

Moser says that must change. And she’s right.

Everyone involved in youth sports — the coaches, the parents and the young athletes themselves — should know about preventing and recognizing concussions.

It’s a vital lesson for the beginning of this school year.

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