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Atlantic Technological University (ATU) to host Sports Concussion Conference (23 Sept 2022) at its Galway campus
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway is hosting a free Sports Concussion Conference titled “Heads Together” on Friday, 23 September at its Galway City campus for coaches, trainers, athletes, sports organisations and members of the public interested in learning more about concussion injuries and emerging developments in concussion education and management.
The conference is the last in a series of events delivered through the Erasmus+ funded “Get your head in the game – SCAT” project led by ATU Galway and Donegal campuses together with the International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation in Tottenham (UK), Oxford Brookes University (UK), the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) (Denmark), and La Trobe University (Australia).
Talks will be delivered by leading experts in concussion including researchers from the Concussion Research centre at ATU, Galway. Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the ATU Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Dept will explain the ethos of the SCAT project and launch the project’s final educational outputs.
Lisbeth Lund Pedersen, Physiotherapist, Researcher at SDU, Denmark, will introduce the SCAT project’s ‘Heads Up’ free online module on concussion awareness, treatment, and management.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) Concussion Network clinical leads Dr Enda Devitt, Galway GAA and Connacht Rugby Doctor, and Dr Sean Moffit, Mayo GAA Medical Doctor, will speak on lessons learned in sports concussion education and management.
Dr Enda Whyte, Certified Athletic Therapist, Physiotherapist, Assistant Professor in Athletic Therapy and Training, School of Health, and Human Performance, DCU, Ireland, will speak on concussion considerations in female sports, sharing an Irish perspective.
Delegates will hear about emerging developments in concussion education and best practice diagnosis and management measures for amateur and club sports. New findings on concussion consideration for women in sports will also be presented. Coaches and athletes who have encountered concussions will share their experiences during the open panel discussion chaired by guest MC Ollie Turner, Head of Sports, Galway Bay FM.
Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the Department of Sport Exercise and Nutrition, ATU Galway, says: “Our previous Concussion in Sport Conference was an overwhelming success, helping to provide support and information for coaches, parents and athletes on the signs and symptoms of concussion and the appropriate actions for return to play. Our SCAT Erasmus+ project brings together a network of experts in the field from across Europe and Australia and aims to help educate individuals regarding concussions in sport to enhance their awareness of the prevalence and how to manage concussions safely”.
“We are thrilled to host this, the third in a series of events in Galway as an in-person free event. It is the ideal opportunity for coaches, players, parents, PE teachers (primary or secondary), students or those interested in sport to gain up-to-date information on concussions in sport and ask panelists their questions. It is important for those involved in community and amateur sports at all levels, those working with athletes at risk of concussion in the playground, at training or during a match, in settings that do not have a medical professional on site. They need the know the actions they can take to protect their players, their team and their loved sport.”
