Concussions and Confidence: Why Mental Readiness Matters in Recovery

Each year, an estimated 200,000 sport-related concussions occur in Canada, affecting athletes of all ages and levels. But recovery is about more than just physical healing. In this episode, Dr. Keith Yeates, professor of psychology, pediatrics, and clinical neurosciences at the University of Calgary, explains how psychological readiness shapes recovery. He discusses why early reporting and care can speed healing, how fear and anxiety influence outcomes, and what new research reveals about sex differences in concussion experiences. Listeners will also hear about the future of concussion care, from emerging diagnostic tools to living guidelines that continually update best practices.

 

Resources:

> SIRC's Concussion Hub

> Canadian Concussion Network

> Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport
> Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion

> Living Guideline for Concussion & Prolonged Symptoms in Adults

> Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) Online

> MOOC Online Concussion Course

> NCCP Making Headway

 

For more about Dr. Keith Yeate’s work and research:

> Dr. Yeates' Biography 

> Brain Injury Research in Children (BIRCh) Laboratory

> Integrated Concussion Research Program

 

This podcast is brought to you by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along with SIRC's francophone podcast to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.