Concussion is the most common form of head injury for athletes. However, it is important to note that it is not necessary to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Mild confusion or disorientation about who or where you are, what the time or date is, or what you were doing when the injury happened can be signs of concussion. Also note that statistics show that once you sustain a concussion, you are 4 to 6 times more likely to sustain another, even with a mild hit. There are three grades of concussion.
Some sports are more likely to result in concussion or more serious brain injury.
Contact sports are at greater risk. The statistics for other youth sports such as soccer, ice hockey, gymnastics, skiing, baseball, etc. are also under investigation. Our brains are protected inside a hard outer covering of bone, the skull, which is our own natural helmet. The CSF acts as a shock absorber, allowing for some movement of the brain before it bumps into the bone. Acceleration-Deceleration Injury usually happens when the athlete's head and body are traveling at a certain speed and then abruptly stop.