All-Star Concussion Protocol For Cheer/ Athlete Safety Committee

[Mom2Cheergirls]

Flat out there is now FDA approved baseline testing for children younger than 10 - my youngest was in the BETA testing for it and she got a major concussion this year which is how I know it is now FDA approved testing as we discussed the need for younger athletes to get baseline (especially because cognitively they may not be able to express their symptoms that the test can show. ALL cheerleaders should have an impact baseline done. We feel blessed that we live near a facility that does such testing and a medical practice that specializes in the treatment of concussions. Full on support with school and gym letters, online exercises, and when my youngest was having issues they felt beyond their scope they sent her on to a neural optometrist and worked with them.
In short if you are a parent reading this and your child does not have an impact beeline test I encourage you to try to find a testing facility near you. I liken it to a seatbelt ... hopefully you never need it but when you do it can really be an asset.

If I could have my way the one thing I would want USASF to do is work with some of the facilities that provide the testing to children as young as 5 (my youngest has had this testing done twice and it is actually a fun game) as well as the older children and find a way to get that testing to the gyms or near the gyms. To encourage gyms to push their families to get baseline testing done (ours cost $35 less than a private at our gym). For USASF to really reach out to families as an organization to get this done as well.

Having had 2 cheerleaders age 8 and 10 at the time of their concussions I can tell you they can be tough to live through. My older one a couple of weeks after could not even remember 2x3=6. My younger one was such a mess we went to the ER and they cat scanned her she could read elaborate words on the wall in the ER room but would ask me every minute the same question and could not remember she just asked. It was stressful and hard and it really made us debate staying with the sport. We worked with our trusted specialist to decide is going back was a safe option and in both cases they are back successfully and love the sport. Neither case was their coaches at fault it was an accident. It happens a lot in cheer but it happens elsewhere we tend to be the go to family in our group of friends when a concussion occurs and in all but one case the rest did not happen in cheer but other sports or just being a kid.

As you can see this is something that really moves me. I am hoping to push our gym to offer testing and have the medical group wiling to work with it. This can be a great and safe sport and I see baseline testing as an important tool to help all our athletes in the long run.

 

[cheermuse]

With the direction that all-star cheer is going (Olympic bound). Concussion protocol will change. As of right now the problem lies with all involved. Few years ago there was a girl on my CP team who got a concussion while on the team. this was her 3rd concussion. Coach of the team, was pressuring her to participate, he would make statements such as "I'm sick of all the injuries on this team, you all need to get it together". Although she was told by her mom she couldn't participate in practice. Same coach bullied her into participating by making her feel bad, that she was letting her team down. The following week during practice, she got kicked in the head. Concussion #4. Dr told her she can no longer participate in cheerleading. She stopped All-star and did school sideline cheer. She received her 5th concussion while on competition team for school.


When my CP received a concussion during practice (the one practice I ever missed) The coach didn't even flinch. If it weren't for the parents in the lobby my CP would probably still be unconscious on the floor. The next day in school she fell asleep in class and her science teacher sent her to athletic trainer (Teacher was soccer coach and recognized she had a concussion). Took 3 months for her to be cleared (her short-term memory took longer to return) and I didn't let her participate, although same coach tried to bully her. She missed first 2 comps of the season.

Coach was not happy- my sentiments was "Oh well suck it up buttercup! She is my child and she only has one brain!

Cheer coaches feel like its cheerleading, not football, so when cheer athletes get concussion its not a big deal. Its important for us as parents to take stand and follow through.

 

[ScottyB]

With the direction that all-star cheer is going (Olympic bound). Concussion protocol will change. As of right now the problem lies with all involved.

The protocols won't change. Those are effective and in place. But there definitely will be some changes for coaches in terms of mandating the protocols as many (some per your stories) do not follow them.

 

[CookieMomster]

What a scary time you had with your girls @Mom2Cheergirls. My CP also had her baseline test done when she was 6 and was placed on her M2 team. They couldn't do the exact same test as they used for the older girls but there were other manual tests they could do, and like you said, she thought it was a fun game and enjoyed having it do. Our test cost $50 but it was 100% covered by our insurance. We've never had to use it but I'm glad we had it done. This season alone we seem to be surrounded by girls suffering from concussions (not all cheer related) and quite a few of them were very serious with over a month off from school and the girls basically spent the entire time in a quiet, dark room because any visual or auditory stimulation made their symptoms worse.

As for the comments about people trying to score low on the test, etc...they're only doing themselves more harm, and in minor sports you would hope there are moral and ethical people surrounding these athletes and encouraging them to make good decisions. This is where parents need to parent. There may be the occasional wackadoodle SM who would ignore the symptoms but you'll get those crazies in any sport. The SM's I encounter are actually overprotective, nervous-nelly's who overreact to the slightest injury and milk their injuries.

You only get 1 brain and while I can't speak for other gyms and families, our gym's families and coaches place safety as the main priority and I couldn't image any parent putting the sport before their child's wellbeing. I know that's not the case in many areas but it really is ingrained in our area about safety and protocol. Regardless of what sport (my oldest DD plays softball and soccer, and swims) and even in those sports safety and concussions are at the forefront of concern. Our football teams follow the same protocol and when my friend's son had his concussion his coach suggested he visit the concussion clinic and wouldn't have him back on the team until he was medically cleared with a doctor's note.

It's becoming ingrained in our area that we're liable for our actions and adults who work with minors are legally liable to protect minors. It comes down to being proactive instead of reactive. If a coach forced a minor to play with an injury and they became further injured that's actually child abuse. To willfully cause harm is illegal, and coaches who force athletes with concussions and guilt-trip them are just as liable. Know your rights.

Instead of waiting for a Governing body to create a policy, we should use common-sense and advocacy to create the change that we want and need to see.

 

[cheermuse]

The protocols won't change. Those are effective and in place. But there definitely will be some changes for coaches in terms of mandating the protocols as many (some per your stories) do not follow them.

I hope to see coaches held accountable for allowing athletes to play with concussion or any other injuries that jeopardize the safety of athletes.

 

[cpersichilli]

I don't think people realize the severity of concussions and the long term effects they have on the brain. I've had 7 concussions, almost all of them sport related, and I still have problems with short and long term memory, and am more prone to getting headaches/migranes. Once you have one concussion, it's that much easier to get another. But the baseline testing does help. Had one done right after my first concussion and they were able to tell how I was healing based on those scores. After that it was required by the school, which came in handy, because now I had a baseline from a non concussed point. It just boggles my mind how some people still don't see the importance in treating and preventing concussions.

 

[Mom2Cheergirls]

The protocols won't change. Those are effective and in place. But there definitely will be some changes for coaches in terms of mandating the protocols as many (some per your stories) do not follow them.

Sorry I disagree that the current protocols are effective. This sport is being inundated positively by record numbers of young athletes. Coaches are simply taking rules and procedures they use on older adolescent athletes and using them with younger athletes. Protocols regarding not only head injuries but other physical aspects need to be examined based on the developmental stage of the athlete (both physically and cognitively). They may have been effective and are effective for certain age groups still but as this sport grows it really needs to look at and address how to best keep the young developmentally growing athlete safe. Education on not just level of skill but age of athlete is truly important and I think needs to really be increased in training of coaches.

 

[Mom2Cheergirls]

And to add to it. I think USASF needs to come out and have on their website a clear stance on concussions and cheerleading and what they as an organization believes should occur. Currently the only link to anything concussion related on their website is credentials. But a definitive response should be there for all to see. By comparison if you do a search on USA gymnastic or US figure skating you will see the difference. It is that type of change which USASF needs to take.
http://www.usfsa.org/content/Concus...ion_9-21-13_-_BOD_reviewed_and_final_logo.pdf

 

[coachrah]

The protocols won't change. Those are effective and in place. But there definitely will be some changes for coaches in terms of mandating the protocols as many (some per your stories) do not follow them.

Protocols are only valuable if the rules, guidelines, and assessed penalties are meaningful and approved devoid of a conflict of interest.

 

[ScottyB]

And to add to it. I think USASF needs to come out and have on their website a clear stance on concussions and cheerleading and what they as an organization believes should occur. Currently the only link to anything concussion related on their website is credentials. But a definitive response should be there for all to see. By comparison if you do a search on USA gymnastic or US figure skating you will see the difference. It is that type of change which USASF needs to take.
http://www.usfsa.org/content/Concus...ion_9-21-13_-_BOD_reviewed_and_final_logo.pdf

Yes, coaches should receive more education on athletes, their health, and their safety. That sits solely on the coach's employer aka the gym owner who receives parent tuition checks for ensuring the growth and safety of their child.

Why does that have to be on the shoulders of the USASF? They can and should have their stance, "that all concussions should be taken seriously, etc" - but other than that, once again it is on the responsibility of the coach. The usasf could provide ways for coaches to get informed and certified, but the USASF is not at your practices, they aren't at your doctor appointments, etc. Adding more to the USASF will result in higher fees for membership and for competitions, and I know that isn't what a lot of people would prefer.

Coaches have a lot to deal with already, but just because they're busy doesn't mean they can't or shouldn't pay attention to athlete safety. That should be top priority to them.

Protocols are only valuable if the rules, guidelines, and assessed penalties are meaningful and approved devoid of a conflict of interest.

Well the rules/guidelines are in place, but the stories in this thread are showing that all coaches are not adhering to or following them.

I do agree that penalties need to be meaningful and handed out, we are talking about the safety and futures of young people here!

 

[coachrah]

Yes, coaches should receive more education on athletes, their health, and their safety. That sits solely on the coach's employer aka the gym owner who receives parent tuition checks for ensuring the growth and safety of their child.

Why does that have to be on the shoulders of the USASF? They can and should have their stance, "that all concussions should be taken seriously, etc" - but other than that, once again it is on the responsibility of the coach. The usasf could provide ways for coaches to get informed and certified, but the USASF is not at your practices, they aren't at your doctor appointments, etc. Adding more to the USASF will result in higher fees for membership and for competitions, and I know that isn't what a lot of people would prefer.

Coaches have a lot to deal with already, but just because they're busy doesn't mean they can't or shouldn't pay attention to athlete safety. That should be top priority to them.


Well the rules/guidelines are in place, but the stories in this thread are showing that all coaches are not adhering to or following them.

I do agree that penalties need to be meaningful and handed out, we are talking about the safety and futures of young people here!

Do you know of any penalties that have been issued to a coach? Event producer? Camp? Instructor? What safety guidelines were not followed in those cases? What safety organization issued the penalties? Just curious and appreciate your knowledge.

 

[coachrah]

Yes, coaches should receive more education on athletes, their health, and their safety. That sits solely on the coach's employer aka the gym owner who receives parent tuition checks for ensuring the growth and safety of their child.

Why does that have to be on the shoulders of the USASF? They can and should have their stance, "that all concussions should be taken seriously, etc" - but other than that, once again it is on the responsibility of the coach. The usasf could provide ways for coaches to get informed and certified, but the USASF is not at your practices, they aren't at your doctor appointments, etc. Adding more to the USASF will result in higher fees for membership and for competitions, and I know that isn't what a lot of people would prefer.

Coaches have a lot to deal with already, but just because they're busy doesn't mean they can't or shouldn't pay attention to athlete safety. That should be top priority to them.


Well the rules/guidelines are in place, but the stories in this thread are showing that all coaches are not adhering to or following them.

I do agree that penalties need to be meaningful and handed out, we are talking about the safety and futures of young people here!

 

[coachrah]

Yes, coaches should receive more education on athletes, their health, and their safety. That sits solely on the coach's employer aka the gym owner who receives parent tuition checks for ensuring the growth and safety of their child.

Why does that have to be on the shoulders of the USASF? They can and should have their stance, "that all concussions should be taken seriously, etc" - but other than that, once again it is on the responsibility of the coach. The usasf could provide ways for coaches to get informed and certified, but the USASF is not at your practices, they aren't at your doctor appointments, etc. Adding more to the USASF will result in higher fees for membership and for competitions, and I know that isn't what a lot of people would prefer.

Coaches have a lot to deal with already, but just because they're busy doesn't mean they can't or shouldn't pay attention to athlete safety. That should be top priority to them.


Well the rules/guidelines are in place, but the stories in this thread are showing that all coaches are not adhering to or following them.

I do agree that penalties need to be meaningful and handed out, we are talking about the safety and futures of young people here!

This is not true. Concussion lawsuits are everywhere in today's sports. USA Soccer, NFL, NHL, NCAA are the named defendants as the rule makers in concussion mismanagement. Yes, the coaches are named as additional defendants BUT the attorneys usually go after those that have developed the rules and the enforcement of the rules.

 

[ScottyB]

This is not true. Concussion lawsuits are everywhere in today's sports. USA Soccer, NFL, NHL, NCAA are the named defendants as the rule makers in concussion mismanagement. Yes, the coaches are named as additional defendants BUT the attorneys usually go after those that have developed the rules and the enforcement of the rules.

Usually lawyers go after the organizations because they have to begin that safety dialogue at the top (atleast from my POV it seems like that), as well they go after the organizations because those groups have a lot of funding and insurance for lawsuits.

It should be on both in my opinion, rule enforcers for the organization, making coaches take it seriously. And then on coaches for following through or not. Dropping the ball from either side puts kids at risk, which is never ok.

Do you know of any penalties that have been issued to a coach? Event producer? Camp? Instructor? What safety guidelines were not followed in those cases? What safety organization issued the penalties? Just curious and appreciate your knowledge.

I honestly haven't seen it in our industry, but would love to. Too many people get away with shady business and shady safety enforcement. It's a shame that more people don't take it all seriously....and then meanwhile complain that no one takes their sport seriously lol

 

[luv2cheer92]

I can't see the USASF implementing any protocols. Just look to the NFL and all the money, time and research they are putting into denying a large issue with concussions, and I can't see USASF wanting to touch that mess with respect to cheer. I do hope every gym has a concussion policy in place, as I'm sure the day is coming where someone will need it.

I'm also not sure how I feel about baseline testing, being that there is little research into it yet, and many are arguing that it isn't worth it. My chiropractor is also on the fence, though he's done a lot of concussion training and works with a pro organization in my area. He says that many pro athletes are deliberately trying to score lower on their baseline testing so that if they do have a minor concussion, they won't show it and will get to play. And based on previous comments about parents who want to keep their kids participating in cheer, it wouldn't surprise me if it happened in amateur sports too.

Anyway, here's an interesting article about the concussion clinics in Toronto and area, which also touches on the pros and cons of baseline testing. Just more of an informative piece for anyone interested. Private concussion clinics called a 'Wild West' of unregulated treatment - Health - CBC News

I know there are several different baseline tests out there, but if your baseline score is abnormally low on the ImPACT, your test is invalidated and you have to take it again. Now I'm not sure what the percentage is to be classified as abnormally low and it likely wouldn't prevent someone from scoring a little low on purpose, but I'm sure it helps significantly with that. Also, someone with a concussion will likely score more than a little low.

I'm an ITPT (ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist) and there are several other tests that I do with a suspected concussion including many objective tests (cranial nerve tests, balance tests, etc) that tend to be much more reliable than the more subjective questioning. I've also had more training in knowing what to ask the athlete, because asking certain things in a very specific way can also help in a way that the athlete wouldn't even realize that's why I'm asking those questions. Baseline testing isn't my end all be all, but just one good piece of the puzzle.