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DECEMBER. 2015 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTO COURTESY OF Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Your brain is a complex mass of over one hundred billion neurons (nerve cells) that fire or send electrochemical messages through- out your body. Your brain runs on glucose (sugar), derived from the foods you eat. It is imperative that athletes consume a healthy diet with regular meals in order to continu- ously fuel the brain. Healthy fats, such as Omega 3 fatty acids, have been shown to be good nutrition- al supplements for brain health and for improving brain function. This makes sense since neurons consist of myelin sheaths or fatty covers that insulate the neuron fibers. These sheaths help keep the electrochemical mes- sages stay strong and on track so your reflexes and reaction time are sharp and quick. Make sure to consult your doctor, nutritionist or dietician about dietary supplements or vitamins and recommendations to optimize your brain fuel. And don't rely on vitamins or supplements to take the place of wholesome food. 2. Hydrate Your Brain "Dehydration effects cog- nition," reports Brooke de Lench, executive director of MomsTeam Institute of Youth Sports Safety. "A 3 percent decrease in body water can adversely affect cognitive function. In the sports context, this may affect a child's ability to pay attention to the coach or remember a play." P r a c t i c e s a n d g a m e s result in significant fluid loss through perspiration. When the loss is greater than the intake, a state of dehydration occurs. Signs and symptoms of dehydra- tion are similar to those found in the hypoglycemic state and in concussion. So when actively train- ing or competing, it is important to stay hydrated and to drink fluids that help balance the electro- Fiction: Fact: I wasn't knocked out cold, therefore I didn't suffer a concussion. You can get a concussion even if you are not 'knocked out.' Sitting out a shift after a big hit will allow a player time to shake it off and be ready to play. A player who looks like he or she may have sustained a concussion should not return to play, no matter what he or she says, until being thoroughly checked out by a physician. Concussions are less likely in younger players because they weigh less and don't hit as hard. Because younger players tend to have slower reaction times they may be less prepared to see a hit coming and be prepared to brace for it. Boys are more likely to sustain a concussion than girls are because girls play no-check hockey. Just because girls don't check doesn't mean they aren't at risk of a concussion. An NCAA study showed that women's ice hockey players had the highest rate of reported concussions among all collegiate sports. Wearing a HECC approved helmet and properly fitted mouth guard will protect a player from a concussion. While advancements in head protection and mouth guards have greatly improved, and companies continue to spend millions on research and development, there is no current scientific proof that a helmet and mouth guard can prevent a concussion. Brain injuries in kids are not as serious as in adults because the developing brain is more resistant to injury. The child's developing brain may actually be less able to tolerate injury than the adult brain. I feel fine, therefore I should be allow to play. The signs and symptoms of a concussion don't always appear right away. It's up to a coach and a parent to determine if a player may have sustained a concussion. The risk of sustaining even more traumatic head injuries is greater after a player has suffered his or her first concussion. The basic rule of thumb is: when in doubt, sit them out. Delaying the start of checking to the Bantam level will not prevent concussions from happening. While concussions can happen at any age level, studies suggest that delaying body checking until Bantams would have a clear and measurable benefit. Kids are more honest when reporting concussion symptoms than adults. Kids often under-report symptoms for fear of not being able to play, losing their position, having to be seen by a physician, and for fear of being seen by others as "weak." Hockey has become a much more violent game as the rise in the number of concussions continue to rise. There is no proof that more youth hockey players are sustaining concussions, but it's more likely that the rise in the number of reported concussions is tied to a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of a concussion and a change in the attitudes surrounding concussions. Concussion FACT & FICTION 34