What it found is what’s mostly known already. Players often lie about their symptoms in order to continue playing. Lawrence Jackson, one of the players they spoke to, admitted he knew he had a concussion, but was able to pass all of the sideline tests because he was still able to answer the questions.
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Dr. Javier Cardenas, the medical director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center in Phoenix, says there’s no way to improve the situation currently. He tells ESPN that players need to be more open about their symptoms. He also says while there might not be a current solution, there is change coming for the future. Here’s an excerpt from the report discussing a way to fix the problem:
While that may seem crazy, it’s not the only time saliva has been brought up when discussing ways to detect concussions. Back in September researchers proposed breathalyzer concussion tests to check for chemicals.
“These biochemical compounds from the brain can be measured in a number of different fluids, for example saliva and breath,” said Tony Belli, a medical researcher and professor at the University of Birmingham at the time.
Future tests may be underway, but in the mean time players need to be more open about their mental state. Cardenas says more players are starting to do this.
“In the time I’ve been doing this,” Cardenas said to ESPN, “I’ve had more players coming off the field and saying, ‘I don’t feel right. I’ve got to sit.’ I actually see more athletes self-report at the professional level than in the college and youth levels. To me, that an athlete [Seahawks’ Cliff Avril] was taken out of the biggest game in the world because of a concussion was an important message.”
