When it comes to traumatic brain injury and concussions, young girls may be at a higher risk than boys, a U.S. neurological surgeon advises.
Dr. Carrie Jaworski, head team physician for Northwestern University Athletics, says a concussion can occur anytime there's a hit to the head causing jarring or shaking that disturbs brain function.
"The brain is like Jell-O, when Jell-O is impacted it's going to move within the bowl," Jaworski says in a statement.
"The same thing applies for a brain; even if it's the slightest impact the brain is affected."
Jaworski says there needs to be a return to play guidelines, and there is a need for a culture change in sports that eliminates pressure to play following a blow to the head, UPI.com reports.
"Athletes must be kept out of the game until fully recovered from a concussion and this means all symptoms such as eating, sleeping and concentration," Kurt Becker, former Chicago Bear and high school football coach at Marmion Academy in Aurora, Ill., says.
"When in doubt, sit them out," that's the message to coaches and athletic trainers, Jaworski says.
"If an outgoing and boisterous athlete on your team suddenly becomes quiet or withdrawn, this is a cue that the player needs to be taken out and evaluated," Dr. Adam Bennett of Northwestern Memorial says.
