The Concussion Discussion with Dr. Darren Campbell and Dr. Marc Steed (Part 1)

In this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast, hosts Bree Campbell and Alex Bingham sit down with Dr. Darren Campbell, BYU’s Head Team Physician, and Dr. Marc Steed, a Clinical Neuropsychologist, to discuss concussions in youth sports. This is Part 1 of a two-part series focusing on concussion identification and prevention.

Key Points Discussed:

• What is a concussion? – Understanding the definition, symptoms, and misconceptions.
• How concussions are diagnosed and managed – Recognizing signs beyond just losing consciousness.
• The evolution of concussion treatment – How the approach has changed over the years.
• The DOD & NCAA CARE Consortium – The largest concussion study and how it informs current research.
• Are concussions preventable? – Discussion on risk factors and the role of proper training.
• Impact of coaching & technique – How proper training can reduce concussion rates.
• Youth sports risks & specialization concerns – Addressing early specialization and its effects on athlete development.
• Long-term risks of concussions on a developing brain – Why youth athletes may take longer to recover.
• Return-to-learn before return-to-play – The importance of prioritizing academics and full recovery before resuming sports.
• Athlete culture & hidden symptoms – How societal pressures influence concussion reporting.

Tune in to learn how athletes, parents, coaches, and medical professionals can work together to create safer and more informed youth sports environments. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into concussion recovery and long-term effects!