Concussion grading systems are sets of criteria used in sports medicine to determine the severity, or grade, of a concussion, the mildest form of traumatic brain injury. At least 16 such systems exist, and there is little agreement among professionals about which is the best to use. Several of the systems use loss of consciousness and amnesia as the primary determinants of the severity of the concussion.
The systems are widely used to determine when it is safe to allow an athlete to return to competition. Concern exists that multiple concussions received in a short time may present an added danger, since an initial concussion may leave the brain in a vulnerable state for a time. Injured athletes are prohibited from returning to play before they are symptom-free during rest and exertion and their neuropsychological tests are normal again, in order to avoid a risk of cumulative effects such as decline in mental function and second-impact syndrome, which may occur on very rare occasions after a concussion that occurs before the symptoms from another concussion have resolved.
It is estimated that over 40% of high school athletes return to action prematurely and over 40,000 youth concussions occur annually. Concussions account for nearly 10% of sport injuries, and are the second leading cause of brain injury for young people ages 15–24.
Three grading systems are followed most widely: one was developed by Robert Cantu, one by the Colorado Medical Society, and a third by the American Academy of Neurology.
Read more about Concussion Grading Systems: Cantu Guidelines, Colorado Medical Society Guidelines, American Academy of Neurology Guidelines, Impact On Training of Coaches
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