Coaches, trainers get concussion training

CHICAGO, July 25 (UPI) -- Coaches, trainers and volunteers need to better understand the ramifications of the concussions suffered by U.S. high school athletes, medical experts say.

An estimated 140,000 concussions occur among the 7 million high school students in the United States each year, they say.

Dr. Hunt Batjer of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine says a concussion can occur anytime there's a hit to the head causing jarring or shaking that disturbs brain function.

"Children are at much greater risk for long-term damage from concussions, particularly when repeat injuries are sustained," Batjer, who also serves as co-chairman for the National Football League's Head, Neck and Spine committee, says in a statement.

"A major misconception is that a player needs to lose consciousness to be considered concussed. In reality, the majority of concussions do not result in a complete black-out."

Northwestern Medicine -- associated with the Northwestern Memorial and the Feinberg School of Medicine -- is hosting Playing It Safe: Chang

The program aims to help athletic directors, coaches, trainers and youth sports volunteers to understand the facts about concussions.

"The people on the field overseeing student athletes, coaches, trainers and team physicians, need to understand the serious nature of concussions and the importance of keeping kids out of the game when a brain injury is suspected," Batjer says.