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Objective: To discuss a newtonian physics model for understanding and calculating acceleration-deceleration forces found in sport-related cerebral concussions and to describe potential applications of this formula, including (1) an attempt to measure the forces applied to the brain during acceleration-deceleration injuries, (2) a method of accruing objective data regarding these forces, and (3) use of these data to predict functional outcome, such as neurocognitive status, recovery curves, and return to play.
Background: Mild concussion in sports has gained considerable attention in the last decade. Athletic trainers and team physicians have attempted to limit negative outcomes by gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms and severity of mild head injuries and by developing meaningful return-to-play
criteria. Mild head injury in sports has become an even greater area of focus and concern, given the negative neurobehavioral outcomes experienced by several recent high-profile professional athletes who sustained repeated concussions. Applying the principles of physics to characterize injury types, injury severity, and outcomes may further our development of better concussion management techniques and prevention strategies.
Description: We describe the search for models to explain neuronal injury secondary to concussion and provide an exploratory method for quantifying acceleration-deceleration forces and their relationship to severity of mild head injury. Implications for injury prevention and reduction of morbidity are also considered.
Key Words: mild head injury, physics, athletic injury, axonal injury, whiplash
It has been more than 20 years since the epidemic of mild head injury and the associated medical, social, psychological, and economic consequences were first documented in the scientific literature.1 Before that time, mild head trauma was considered little more than an inconvenience or nuisance to the health care community. Poor outcomes from mild head injury were attributed to conversion disorders (wherein physical symptoms or deficits that imply a neurologic or medical problem have psychological factors as a basis), depression, or other psychological overreactions to an apparently minor, transient injury. This limited understanding of the mechanism and sequelae of mild head injury was challenged in the late 1970s and early 1980s by Rimel et al,1 Barth et al,2 and Gronwall and Wrightson.3,4 Their research revealed that some of these mild injuries resulted in impaired neurocognitive functioning that persisted for 1 to 3 months after trauma and caused slower-than-expected...