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This article was co-authored by Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN. Michael D. Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN, is an expert on nutritional interventions for brain health, particularly the prevention and rehabilitation of brain injury. In 2012 upon retiring as a Colonel after 31 years in the U.S. Army, he founded the nonprofit Brain Health Education and Research Institute. He is in private practice in Potomac, Maryland, and is the author of "When Brains Collide: What every athlete and parent should know about the prevention and treatment of concussions and head injuries." He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed post-graduate training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Dr. Lewis is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and American College of Nutrition.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 10,716 times.
Wrestling is a great and rewarding sport. However, because of the nature of the sport, it can lead to serious injuries. Concussions are common in wrestling, and recurring concussions or improper care can lead to serious damage. Sometimes, multiple serious concussions can lead to the end of a wrestler’s career. Learn how to prevent concussions so you or your team can wrestle safely.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Preparing The Athlete Against Concussions
Wear proper headgear. No matter the skill level of the wrestler, he should still wear something to protect his head while wrestling. Wearing the proper headgear can help protect against head injuries.- Some people believe that the headgear is too bulky or gets in the way. Wrestlers should try to learn how to wrestle with the headgear despite of that because it can reduce the risk of injury.
- Helmets and headgear don’t completely protect someone from getting a concussion. However, they help reduce the risk.
Wear proper mouth guards. If wrestlers don’t already wear a mouth guard while wrestling, they should consider using one. A recent study has shown that wearing properly fitting mouth guards can help reduce the risk of concussions.[1]- Mouth guards are supposed to help absorb shock from a blow to the head, help stabilize the head and neck, and help reduce head injury due to a blow to the jaw.
- Wrestlers should consider getting a fitted mouth guard from a dentist instead of buying one at a sports store. Custom mouth guards are thicker, which is more effective at protecting the person wearing it. They also fit the mouth better, so they are more comfortable.
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Follow established rules of play. Following the rules of the match helps protect the wrestler and his opponent during a match. That means wrestlers should refrain from being overly aggressive or trying to get away with illegal moves.- Some moves have been made illegal because of their tendency to cause concussions. For example, USA Wrestling banned the reverse lift for all but the best wrestlers because it caused more head injuries than other moves.[2]
- Wrestling in an aggressive or wild way without thinking about proper form and technique can lead to head injuries.[3]
Educate wrestlers about concussions. Proper education can help reduce the risk of concussions, especially for younger wrestlers. Coaches should get a physician to talk to the team or organization about the seriousness of concussions.[4]- During this session, the physician can help make the wrestlers, coaches, parents, and trainers aware of initial concussion side effects, along with ones that show up 12 to 48 hours afterwards.
- Wrestlers should also be taught the effects of multiple concussions and wrestling with a concussion.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Training Wrestlers to Help Reduce Concussions
Focus on wrestling fundamentals. Learning proper wrestling fundamentals is key to preventing concussions. Many concussions occur because of head injuries resulting when a head connects with another head, a knee, or the mat. All wrestlers should be instructed in proper wrestling fundamentals.[5]- Learning how to attack in a controlled manner and mastering the proper form of the moves can help protect the wrestler and his opponent.
Learn proper takedown techniques. Another way to help reduce the risk of concussions in wrestlers and their opponents is for them to learn proper takedown techniques. This helps wrestlers avoid giving someone else a concussion.[6] There are numerous takedown techniques. As the wrestlers learn them, make sure to they learn how to perform the moves while not using the head and protecting the head.[7]- The wrestlers should learn how to avoid getting hit in the head. Learning how to wrestle where one doesn’t go head-first into the move can help eliminate head-to-head or head-to-knee injuries.
- Wrestlers should keep a proper stance when they are going into a takedown. Using the proper stance helps protect the head.[8]
- Coaches should teach and emphasize proper takedown techniques. They should also teach athletes how to perform moves and wrestle without going in head first.
Learn how to land. Learning how to land on the mat is just as important as learning how to attack. Every wrestler will be thrown to the mat, and wrestlers learning to land properly can help reduce the risk of concussion.[9]- When a wrestler lands, his supports should be wide and extended. He should ever land with his arms back and down. His hips should be parallel to the floor and positioned lower than his head.[10]
- Coaches should make sure all wrestlers are taught to properly land and protect themselves from head injury.
Strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles. Studies have shown that strengthening neck and shoulder muscles can help prevent concussions. Focusing on strength training moves that build muscles in the shoulders and neck may help absorb some of the impact if hit in the head.- Increasing neck strength can help lower the risk of your brain rattling around in the skull, which leads to concussions.
- To do an easy neck exercise, a wrestler can start by putting his hands on the back of his head. He should press the hands forward as he pushes his neck backwards. The resistance helps strengthen the neck.[11]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Dealing With Concussions
Put a plan into place for concussions. One of the most important things coaches and trainers can do for wrestling concussions is to put a plan into place to deal with concussions when they happen. This plan needs to be laid out before a concussion occurs. Having a plan in place prior to a match or practice helps eliminate potentially harmful decisions being made based on match score or heated emotions.- The athletic trainer should be the person to put the plan into place and make sure it is properly carried out.
- Action plans may include evaluations a trainer can give the wrestler to make sure he does not have a concussion. These evaluations may include a standardized assessment of concussion (SAC) or a balance error scoring system (BESS). They may give important details about whether the wrestler should continue or not.
Recognize common initial concussion symptoms. Research has shown that only roughly 10% of concussions result in a loss of consciousness. To reduce any serious concussion-related injuries, coaches, athletes, and trainers need to know the initial concussion symptoms so they can make a proper judgement about their athlete.- While coaches and trainers need to help make decisions about concussions, especially in young wrestlers, the wrestler needs to be aware of any symptoms. If the wrestler experiences the symptoms, he should let the coach knows and stop competing. Competing with a concussion can lead to serious damage.
- These symptoms include dizziness, loss of balance, headache, fatigue, disorientation, slurred speech, amnesia, vomiting, or ringing of the ears.
Remove the wrestler from the match. If the wrestler is suspected to have sustained a concussion, he should be removed from the match. The athlete should then be taken to a doctor to be checked out.- Serious damage may occur to a wrestler if he continues to compete with a concussion. Wrestling with a concussion may lead to brain hemorrhage or swelling, in addition to other problems.
Allow the wrestler to compete only after he’s medically cleared. No matter the state of a match or competition, the wrestler’s health is the top priority. This means that he should not be allowed to compete again until he heals from his concussion.- Symptoms may subside and the wrestler may feel fine, but he may not be medically ready to compete again. Coaches should only allow a wrestler to return to competing after he is discharged by a medical professional.
Think about the wrestler’s overall health. Many wrestlers have the attitude to keep going despite hardships. This may lead to better wrestling and wins. However, when a wrestler has a concussion, this go get ‘em philosophy will not work. Parents, coaches, and the wrestler should think about long-term health instead of immediate goals, like getting back to training, finishing a match, or getting back on the mat.[12]- Concussions may seem mild now, but repeated concussions may cause extreme difficulties later in life. These difficulties include permanent brain damage, memory loss, and even depression.
- Parents and coaches should be especially mindful of young wrestlers. Wrestlers who are seven, ten, or even thirteen might not understand the severity of their injuries and want to get back onto the mat. Instead, parents and coaches need to put the wrestler’s health first and make sure he gets the proper recovery before going back out there again.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionWhat are the most effective risk reduction strategies for sport concussiona?
Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACNMichael D. Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN, is an expert on nutritional interventions for brain health, particularly the prevention and rehabilitation of brain injury. In 2012 upon retiring as a Colonel after 31 years in the U.S. Army, he founded the nonprofit Brain Health Education and Research Institute. He is in private practice in Potomac, Maryland, and is the author of "When Brains Collide: What every athlete and parent should know about the prevention and treatment of concussions and head injuries." He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed post-graduate training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Dr. Lewis is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and American College of Nutrition.
Board Certified Brain Health Physician
- QuestionHow do you prevent injury in wrestling?Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACNMichael D. Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN, is an expert on nutritional interventions for brain health, particularly the prevention and rehabilitation of brain injury. In 2012 upon retiring as a Colonel after 31 years in the U.S. Army, he founded the nonprofit Brain Health Education and Research Institute. He is in private practice in Potomac, Maryland, and is the author of "When Brains Collide: What every athlete and parent should know about the prevention and treatment of concussions and head injuries." He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed post-graduate training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Dr. Lewis is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and American College of Nutrition.
Board Certified Brain Health PhysicianTake fish oil. Taking a daily dose of a good quality fish oil can potentially decrease your risk of getting a concussion because it helps decrease inflammation. In addition, it can also keep your joints healthy and can help your muscles recover more quickly after strenuous activity or injuries.
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References
- ↑ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm
- ↑ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-wrestling-concussions-met-20160110-story.html
- ↑ http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/features/2013/november/14/heads-up-best-practices-for-dealing-with-concussions
- ↑ http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/features/2013/november/14/heads-up-best-practices-for-dealing-with-concussions
- ↑ http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/features/2013/november/14/heads-up-best-practices-for-dealing-with-concussions
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_prevention.html
- ↑ http://wrestling.isport.com/wrestling-guides/wrestling-takedowns
- ↑ http://mtswrestling.weebly.com/wrestling-tips.html
- ↑ http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/features/2013/november/14/heads-up-best-practices-for-dealing-with-concussions
About this article
Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN
Board Certified Brain Health Physician
This article was co-authored by Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN. Michael D. Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN, is an expert on nutritional interventions for brain health, particularly the prevention and rehabilitation of brain injury. In 2012 upon retiring as a Colonel after 31 years in the U.S. Army, he founded the nonprofit Brain Health Education and Research Institute. He is in private practice in Potomac, Maryland, and is the author of "When Brains Collide: What every athlete and parent should know about the prevention and treatment of concussions and head injuries." He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed post-graduate training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Dr. Lewis is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and American College of Nutrition. This article has been viewed 10,716 times.
Co-authors: 6
Updated: August 10, 2021
Views: 10,716
Article SummaryX
To prevent concussions during wrestling, it’s vital to take proper precautions. Before wrestling, always put on protective headgear, such as a headpiece with ear and chin guards. A mouth guard can also help reduce your concussion risk, since it absorbs shock if you get hit in the mouth or jaw. Most wrestling organizations also have rules in place to prevent injuries, so review the rules and regulations carefully before a match. For instance, wrestlers may be banned from using certain aggressive moves that could be dangerous for their opponents. For expert advice on how to prevent concussions with good wrestling technique, read on!
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