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State Sen. Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) this week introduced legislation designed to better protect student-athletes from concussions and brain injuries. He said he would be pushing for its swift approval in the Legislature.
The bill would require licensed athletic trainers, as a condition of their biennial license renewal, to complete 24 hours of continuing education in an approved sports medicine curriculum. Under the bill, four hours of the continuing education requirements would have to be devoted to programs or topics related to concussions and brain injuries.
Codey said that such training in identifying, diagnosing and treating concussions and brain injuries would result in fewer complications for that athlete later down the road.
"When it comes to younger athletes and concussions, it's far better to be safe than sorry," Codey said. "We need to make sure that athletic trainers at New Jersey's high schools have the proper training and experience to quickly identify and properly treat concussions in their athletes. Through this bill, we're taking a necessary step to make sure that school sports are a safer, more rewarding experience for the student-athletes involved."Research has shown that multiple concussions over the course of a lifetime can make athletes five times more susceptible to dementia and Alzheimer's later in life, and can put them at a significantly greater risk for clinical depression and other psychological disorders. Codey said by requiring trainers to undergo periodic refresher courses in diagnosing and treating concussions and brain injuries, young athletes may be spared from those health complications.
"In the heat of a game or match, it can be difficult for athletic trainers to properly diagnose a concussion or other form of brain injury, but these sorts of injuries carry serious complications later in life," Codey said. "Studies upon studies have shown that athletes who are not properly diagnosed and treated for concussions face serious medical issues down the road, including second-impact syndrome, ‘punch drunk' syndrome, memory loss, chronic headaches and dizziness, tinnitus, light sensitivity and emotional outbursts. "
Codey, who coaches a traveling basketball team in West Orange, added that more attention is being paid to concussions now as a result of certain high-profile cases involving retired NFL players who are suffering the cumulative effects of a lifetime of undiagnosed or untreated concussions.
"While this legislation will go a long way to keep our kids safer in their respective sports, ultimately, trainers, coaches, and parents have a responsibility to step up and do the right thing when one of their athletes suffers a concussion," Codey said. "In my time as a coach, I've seen firsthand that no sport is 100 percent safe, and injuries do happen. However, if coaches, parents and trainers are aware of the risks and act accordingly, we can make sure that our kids avoid long-term complications which will have life-long consequences."
The bill is expected to be referenced to the Senate Commerce Committee.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
