5 Concussion Myths Debunked
November 8, 2022
Awareness about the dangers of concussions is at an all-time high. In response, athletic organizations — from Pop Warner football (a nonprofit program for kids 5 to 16) to USA Hockey — have safe-play protocols in place. But misconceptions about injury — prevention, management and return to play — are still all too common.
"It's great that parents, coaches and athletes are focused on the potential for concussions, but they also need to be aware of the complexities involved in evaluating, diagnosing and managing concussion," says Jeffrey Kutcher, M.D., a sports neurologist who treats athletes at the Henry Ford Kutcher Clinic for Concussion and Sports Neurology.
The best way to get the knowledge you need? Learn how to separate fact from fiction.
Separating Concussion Fact From Fiction
Here’s the truth behind five common concussion myths:
Myth #1: Concussions are only caused by blows to the head.
Concussions happen in response to force. While they often result from a blow to the head, they can also occur after a hit to the neck, shoulders or anywhere else on the body. To cause brain injury, the force of the impact only needs to cause the head to move rapidly back and forth (think whiplash from a car crash or a spill down the stairs).
Myth #2: Concussions always involve a loss of consciousness.
A very small percentage of all concussions, 10 percent or less, result in a loss of consciousness. For the remaining injuries, parents, coaches and medical providers should watch for additional symptoms such as:
· Confusion
· Balance problems
· Slurred speech
· Physical complaints including headache, nausea and vomiting.
Myth #3: You should keep a person awake overnight after a concussion has occurred.
It's important to observe and interact with a recently concussed person for the first few hours to recognize the potential signs of a more serious injury. However, if they are interacting normally after four hours, it’s okay to let them sleep. If you have any doubts or questions, always err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
Myth #4: After a concussion, kids should avoid digital media until they feel better.
Unless digital activities or screen time significantly worsen symptoms, there's no reason to avoid them. "You shouldn't force people who have suffered a concussion to rest too much — or deprive them of sensory input — if they are comfortable engaging in activity," Dr. Kutcher says. What’s more, taking away activities that bring a person joy or keep them socially connected could end up prolonging their recovery by creating additional symptoms.
Myth #5: All physical activity should be avoided after a concussion.
It’s important to rest for the first two to three days after a concussion. However, you need to be careful not to rest too much or avoid all activity for too long.
Engaging in physical, mental and social activities can be beneficial. But knowing how much to do and when to take it easy can be difficult. If you have any questions, consult a sports neurologist for specific recommendations.
Ground Rules for Concussion Prevention and Management
When it comes to preventing concussion, common sense offers the greatest impact, Dr. Kutcher notes. He recommends starting with these four tenets:
- Whenever possible, limit the amount of contact in practices and games.
- Wear proper fitting and certified helmets or other head protection whenever appropriate.
- Spread contact drills out over time as much as possible.
- Practice good technique and play by the rules.
Athletes — especially those who play contact sports — should undergo an annual neurological evaluation that includes a comprehensive, focused neurological history and examination. This information provides a critical point of reference for medical professionals.
Knowing the truth about concussions — including what to watch for and what to do if one occurs — is really the best game plan.
Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher is a sports neurologist at the Henry Ford Concussion and Sports Neurology Clinic and the global director of the Kutcher Clinic.
Want to learn more? Henry Ford Health System sports medicine experts are treating the whole athlete, in a whole new way. From nutrition to neurology, and from injury prevention to treatment of sports-related conditions, they can give your athlete a unique game plan.
Visit henryford.com/sports or call (313) 972-4216 for an appointment within 24 business hours.
Century of School Sports: MHSAA Programs Prioritize Health & Safety
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 29, 2025
Rank the top 10 conversations anyone would choose to have when it comes to school sports – be it talking up top teams, the latest stars, past champs, etc. – and advances in health & safety probably come in somewhere around No. 27.
But no topic has been or will remain more important to generating and maintaining successful athletic programs at every level of sport – including the high school and junior high/middle school levels administered by the MHSAA.
From the start of organized school athletics in Michigan more than 100 years ago, health and safety have been priorities. Sports safety concerns – especially in football – helped drive the creation of organized sport administration. Longtime policies – like the one ceasing activity for 30 minutes for lightning or thunder – have become part of daily life in athletics. Other measures, like MHSAA-provided insurance coverage to assist families who experience catastrophic injuries in school practices and competitions, aren’t even known by most – but can be life-altering for those who require those benefits.
For most of this century, the MHSAA’s health & safety initiatives have focused on the “4 Hs” coined by retired executive director Jack Roberts – Health Histories, Heads, Heat and Hearts. Those were the drive of much of his work especially over the final decade of his tenure before he retired in 2018 after 32 years.
Current executive director Mark Uyl’s time leading the association has seen the MHSAA begin work in mental health and create a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) during the 2019-20 school year. He also led the MHSAA through its successfully safe return to play amid COVID-19 and the pandemic’s aftermath.
Health and safety information is contained in every preseason coaches meeting, which all coaches (head and assistant) are required to take. The MHSAA also has a strong relationship with the Michigan Athletic Trainer’s Society (MATS), who have a representative serving on every MHSAA sport committee along with the SMAC.
Along the lines of major initiatives, here are highlights:
Histories: Although pre-participation physicals long have been required, the MHSAA took a significant step incorporating student and family history with the introduction of new physical forms in 2011. The current form includes several questions not only about the participant receiving the physical, but also heart-related questions about family members.
Heads: The MHSAA was among the first states to adopt a return-to-play protocol requiring an athlete to be cleared by a doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, with that protocol also not allowing the athlete to return to participation until at least the next day after a possible head injury. At the start of the 2015-16 school year, the MHSAA launched the largest state-led sideline testing pilot program for concussions, providing a pair of screening tests so those injuries could be detected during practice and competition. Also since 2015-16, the MHSAA has required member high schools to report all potential head injuries and several details including when they took place (practice or competition) and how long students were treated before returning to activity – another first-of-its-kind initiative nationally. The MHSAA currently works with the University of Michigan Concussion Center to provide the most up-to-date information on the subject.
Heat: Long a megaphone for hydration and other best practices for preventing heat-related illnesses, the MHSAA took a major step with the creation of its “Model Policy for Heat and Humidity” for the 2013-14 school year that designates limits to activities (including a complete stop) based on heat index. While the policy is mandated for MHSAA Tournament activity, several schools have adopted the policy for the regular season as well. The MHSAA continues annually to renew awareness of heat management with its “Heat Ways” preseason guide for fall sports.
Hearts: The MHSAA has focused on providing tools so that as many people as possible are prepared to help during a cardiac event. Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, all varsity head coaches have been required to have CPR certification – and that requirement has been extended to head coaches at all high school and junior/middle school levels, ensuring that at least one person on site for every game and practice is trained in this life-saving technique. The MHSAA also has worked with MI HEARTSafe to in part get more AEDs into schools. Beginning this school year, the MHSAA required schools to build emergency action plans (EAPs) specific to sport and venue. And, as noted above, the preparticipation physical also asks questions about an athlete’s family history of heart health, so medical professionals can identify early situations that may require further investigation.
Mental Health: Annual rules meetings include required training in the be nice. program provided by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. The MHSAA also has worked with Ithaca athletic director Terry Hessbrook to promote his B#4 Foundation and its work in suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
Sports Medicine Advisory Committee: The SMAC, made up of experts from the medical and educational communities, meets twice a year to consider topics and make recommendations relevant to health and safety in school sports.
Insurance: All the way back in 1940-41, the MHSAA became one of the first state associations nationally to provide accident benefit insurance to its constituents. The insurance provided over the years has evolved into a catastrophic claims policy beginning with the 1970-71 school year, and then in 2015-16 to include benefits specific to head injuries. The MHSAA’s insurance policy continues to cover deductibles and co-pays left unpaid by other policies for head injuries resulting during school practices or competitions, and at no cost to either schools or families.
There have been other notable moments over the years. Often, the MHSAA has taken action on health and safety issues before other governing bodies have produced mandates – for example, during the 1999-2000 season, MHSAA ice hockey players were required for the first time to wear neck guards that did not become mandatory nationally until this past winter.
More recently, the MHSAA instituted acclimatization rules specific to football and also limits on the amount of practice contact – to the minute – allowed per week. The MHSAA also has chimed in on air pollution created by wildfires, mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis and other situations that could potentially impact school sports, and partners with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to provide nutrition information and awareness at events and on the MHSAA website.
These aren’t the first subjects that come to mind when fans talk about school sports – and that’s fine. But it’s our job, with school administrators, coaches and officials, to always have them front of mind – and we gladly do so to keep sports as safe as possible for hundreds of thousands of athletes whose achievements remain our favorite topics of conversation as well.
Previous "Century of School Sports" Spotlights
April 23: Patches Signify Registered Officials' Role in MHSAA Story - Read
April 16: Student Advisory Council Gives Voice to Athletes - Read
April 9: State's Storytellers Share Spring Memories - Read
April 2: Sharp Leadership Synonymous with MHSAA Success - Read
March 25: Athletic Directors Indispensable to Mission of School Sports - Read
March 18: 2025 Finals Begin Next Half-Century of Girls Hoops Championships - Read
March 11: Boys Basketball's Best 1st to Earn MHSAA Finals Titles - Read
March 5: Everything We Do Begins with Participation - Read
Feb. 25: Slogans & Logos Remain Unforgettable Parts of MHSAA History - Read
Feb. 19: MHSAA Tickets Continue to Provide Fan-Friendly Value - Read
Feb. 11: We Recognize Those Who Make Our Games Go - Read
Feb. 4: WISL Conference Continues to Inspire Aspiring Leaders - Read
Jan. 28: Michigan's National Impact Begins at NFHS' Start - Read
Jan. 21: Awards Celebrate Well-Rounded Educational Experience - Read
Jan. 14: Predecessors Laid Foundation for MHSAA's Formation - Read
Jan. 9: MHSAA Blazes Trail Into Cyberspace - Read
Dec. 31: State's Storytellers Share Winter Memories - Read
Dec. 17: MHSAA Over Time - Read
Dec. 10: On This Day, December 13, We Will Celebrate - Read
Dec. 3: MHSAA Work Guided by Representative Council - Read
Nov. 26: Finals Provide Future Pros Early Ford Field Glory - Read
Nov. 19: Connection at Heart of Coaches Advancement Program - Read
Nov. 12: Good Sports are Winners Then, Now & Always - Read
Nov. 5: MHSAA's Home Sweet Home - Read
Oct. 29: MHSAA Summits Draw Thousands to Promote Sportsmanship - Read
Oct. 23: Cross Country Finals Among MHSAA's Longest Running - Read
Oct. 15: State's Storytellers Share Fall Memories - Read
Oct. 8: Guided by 4 S's of Educational Athletics - Read
Oct. 1: Michigan Sends 10 to National Hall of Fame - Read
Sept. 25: MHSAA Record Books Filled with 1000s of Achievements - Read
Sept. 18: Why Does the MHSAA Have These Rules? - Read
Sept. 10: Special Medals, Patches to Commemorate Special Year - Read
Sept. 4: Fall to Finish with 50th Football Championships - Read
Aug. 28: Let the Celebration Begin - Read