Expert wants to change concussions' 'culture of resistance'

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say many athletes and coaches don't report a possible concussion, even though this raises the risk of re-injury and impedes treatment.

Robert Graham of the George Washington University in Washington chaired the Institute of Medicine's panel that wrote a report, which analyzed data on school athletes ages 5-21.

Graham said he would like this "culture of resistance" against reporting concussions.

For example, "When a child in this age range suffers a concussion, people would say, 'That's a significant event,'" Graham said in a statement.

"We're going to take care of you. You're not going to go back to competition -- you're not going to go back to school -- until we're sure that you have recovered."