”Sports concussions typically occur from either direct trauma, during which the brain moves violently within the skull, or indirect trauma such as a whiplash or blow to the face,” says Bianca Matheson, physiotherapist at Whistler’s Back in Action physiotherapy
Bianca says simple tests that may help determine if someone is concussed are:
Ask simple questions that should be easy to answer:(you can devise your own to fit the sport/circumstance)
- What mountain are we riding today?
- How many runs have we had?
- What was the last chair we rode?
- Did we go up yesterday? Last week?
- What hill?
Balance
- Stand heel to toe with hands on hips and close the eyes: you should be able to maintain balance for at least 20 seconds.
Symptons
- Are symptoms present such as headache, nausea, and dizziness, a feeling of being in a fog or slowed thinking, difficulty keeping up, feeling abnormally irritable or emotional, unequal pupil size, nausea, tinnitus, vomiting?
If any of these tests are failed or if any of the symptoms are present a concussion must be suspected. Medical examination is advised, particularly if symptoms worsen or persist.
for more info on Concussions and skiing/riding check out The Concussion Blog
