On Friday August 30, Country Day Athletics hosted world-renowned concussion researcher, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, for a presentation to coaches and administrators. Dr. Guskiewicz is the founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. He also currently serves as UNC’s interim chancellor.
Dr. Guskiewicz’s research has focused on sport-related concussions in high school and collegiate athletes. He also studies the long-term neurological effects of concussions in retired professional football players. He has served on the NCAA’s concussion committee and the NFL’s head, neck, and spine committee.
Friday’s presentation was attended by coaches, athletic trainers, nurses, and athletics and school administrators from four schools in the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletics Association (CISAA) and focused on the most recent research and development in the areas of concussion prevention, evaluation, and care.
The presentation began with some insights into the media’s role on the perception of concussion and some data regarding the prevalence of sports-related concussion. His goal is to bring in the science to dispel the myths associated with concussions. He pointed out that the enactment of state-wide concussion laws has led to more concussions being identified and reported and that has sometimes been misinterpreted as a higher frequency of concussions overall.
Dr. Guskiewicz also addressed the misconception that equipment prevents concussion and emphasized that proper tackling technique, rule changes, early detection of concussions, and more intentional return to play protocols are all key facets of concussion management. He suggested that currently there is work being done in the area of biomarkers as a promising tool for concussion evaluation and guiding return to play protocols.
“To have someone as highly regarded as Dr. Guskiewicz come speak with us was very special,” said Associate Director of Athletics and Director of Sports Medicine, Monica Erb. “As an athletics department and school community, we are always looking to continue to grow and learn, and Dr. Guskiewicz provided a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Educating ourselves and our communities on topics like this helps us keep care for our student-athletes at the forefront of all that we do.”