The British Journal of Sports Medicine announced this week revised recommendations on the treatment of athletes exhibiting symptoms of a concussion. In a move that has stirred controversy in the medical and sport community around the world, the journal wrote that athletes 18 years or younger should not be permitted to continue play if they complain of concussion-like symptoms.

Critics of the recommendation argue that the new guidelines will only worsen the problem. Athletes eager to stay in the game, they say, will simply stop reporting symptoms, putting them at even greater risk for serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

"More kids will be hurt seriously because of this, either by players not admitting they might have gotten a concussion or coaches encouraging them not to be up front about their symptoms, whether subtly or overtly," Dr. Bob Sallis, a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine and a longtime sideline doctor in Southern California, told the New York Times.

Personally, I think journal's recommendations are spot-on. Why the heck wouldn't a coach take an athlete out of the game if he thought the athlete might have a concussion?

As obvious as the recommendations sound, however, I believe they will be ineffective until we address the larger culture issues at hand. Athletes are encouraged from an early age to "suck it up" when they're injured. This type of macho attitude can exacerbate injuries and put student-athletes at risk.

Why do athletes play through pain, even when it can cause more harm in the future? Do they feel a burden to show up for their team? Is it pride?

Have you ever played through an injury, even when you knew it wasn't a good idea?

How can we solve this problem and encourage responsible reactions to injuries by both athletes and coaches?

Check out other posts on this topic:
More than just a headache - Oct 27, 2008

Football causes lasting head trauma - Jan 29, 2009

Coaches should learn to recognize signs of traumatic brain injuries - Apr 02, 2009