Recovery for sports-related concussions takes longer time than previously known: Study

A study has reportedly found that recovery from concussion takes much longer time than previously known, revealing a significant fact for athletes of all ages in return to play considerations.

Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg have shown that analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid after concussion can be used to determine the magnitude of brain injury and to follow its course.

Former boxer-turned scientist Sanna Neselius, who is a member of the medical commission of the Swedish Boxing Federation, is a part of the research and she said that unlike previous beliefs that concussions heals in 7-10 days, the current studies have shown that a concussion can take more than four months to heal

Further, the results show that repetitive head trauma in boxing, damages nerve cells in the brain, even though the boxer may not show any concussion symptoms.

The cerebrospinal fluid samples analysed by Neselius and her colleagues can be followed until normalization and thereby be a valuable tool to prevent athletes resuming sport too early.

Neselius points out that the brains of children and adolescents are more sensitive and require longer time to heal.