The problem of concussions in youth athletes is getting more attention than before, but it’s unclear whether coaches and parents really understand how to handle the injury. Northern Illinois University’s kinesiology department head is looking for financial help in addressing the issue.
Paul Wright is pulling together a team of researchers and representatives from Chicago area hospitals to apply for a $1.65 million grant, according to an NIU news release.
The funds are to assess the effectiveness of the Heads Up initiative, which was created by the Centers for Disease Control about five years ago. The program is not the same as the NFL’s approach, which emphasizes safer tackling techniques.
Even if NIU does not get the grant, Wright says the process of pursuing it helped create new collaborations with Lurie Children’s Hospital and Rush Medical Center. He says those relationships could benefit NIU students.