Sports Medicine Student-Athlete Resources

Concussion Prevention and Treatment

A concussion is a brain injury that is a result of a direct or indirect insult to the brain. As a result, transient impairment of mental functions such as memory, balance/equilibrium, or vision may occur. It can range from mild to severe and presents itself differently for each athlete. It is important to recognize that many sport-related concussions do not result in loss of consciousness and, therefore, all suspected head injuries should be taken seriously. Symptoms of a concussion might occur right after the incident or hours to days after. Concussion symptoms may include:

  • Amnesia
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Double or fuzzy vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Nausea (feeling that you might vomit)
  • Feeling sluggish, foggy or groggy
  • Feeling unusually irritable
  • Difficulty getting to sleep or disrupted sleep
  • Slowed reaction time
  • Concentration or memory problems

The NCAA Executive Committee adopted the following policy in which UCLA Sports Medicine maintains compliance:

-- UCLA has a concussion management plan on file so that when a student-athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion, he or she shall be removed from practice or competition and evaluated by an athletics healthcare provider with experience in the evaluation and management of concussions.

-- Student-athletes diagnosed with a concussion shall not return to activity for the remainder of that day. Medical clearance shall be determined by the team physician or his or her designee according to the concussion management plan.

-- Student-athletes must sign a statement in which they accept the responsibility for reporting their injuries and illnesses to the UCLA medical staff, including signs and symptoms of concussions. During the review and signing process, student-athletes should be presented with educational material on concussions.

Additional info about concussions can be found here

To watch a video to learn more about Concussions click here or watch the clip below.

Sickle Cell Trait

Effective in 2010, the NCAA Division I Legislative Council decided that all incoming student-athletes must be tested for sickle cell trait, show proof of a prior test or sign a waiver releasing an institution from liability if they decline to be tested.

Sickle cell trait is not a disease. It is the inheritance of one gene for normal hemoglobin (A) and one gene for sickle hemoglobin (S), giving the genotype AS. Sickle cell trait can change the shape of red blood cells during intense or extensive exertion/exercise, causing a blockage in blood vessels and rapid breakdown of muscles, including the heart.

People at high risk for having sickle cell trait are those whose ancestors come from Africa, South or Central America, Caribbean, Mediterranean countries, India, and Saudi Arabia. Sickle cell trait occurs in about 8 percent of the U.S. African-American population and rarely (between one in 2,000 to one in 10,000) in the Caucasian population. It is present in athletes at all levels, including high school, collegiate, Olympic and professional. Sickle cell trait is no barrier to outstanding athletic performance. Sickle cell trait is generally benign and consistent with a long, healthy life. Most athletes complete their careers without any complications. However, there are three constant concerns that exist for athletes with sickle cell trait: gross hematuria, splenic infarction, and exertional rhabdomyolysis, which can be fatal.

Starting in 1990, The California Newborn Screening Program (NBS) has been screening all newborns for sickle cell disease. To obtain the results of the screen, click here and submit the form to California Department of Health.

For more information, please click here

To watch a video to learn more about Sickle Cell Trait click here or watch the clip below.