By Taylor Kennedy, HD Media
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coaches, athletic directors, administrators and medical professionals gathered on Thursday at the Charleston Coliseum theater to discuss concussions, including how to identify and treat them.
The 90-minute seminar sought to educate those that attended on statistics related to concussions, as well as prevention and treatments. The need for athletic trainers in schools was also a point of emphasis.
The first speaker Thursday morning was Calvin Whaley, a doctor of osteopathic medicine and a practicing neurosurgeon at Charleston Area Medical Center.
Whaley said each season, 2% to 15% of athletes participating in an organized sport will experience a sports-related concussion. He said he wanted everyone, especially coaches, to understand the visible symptoms of a concussion.
“Our goal was to talk about concussions for coaches, especially recognizing the symptoms of concussions and trying to identify [them],” Whaley said. “The symptoms of concussion at the sideline and making sure we know what to do in those situations.
