Ep 81 | Sports-Related Concussions: What Happens Next? | Patrick Fleming | Athletic Trainer, Univ. of Mary Washington

Patrick Fleming, Athletic Trainer at the University of Mary Washington, joins Glenn on the Field to discuss the importance of understanding and managing concussions in sports. Patrick shares what concussions are, how they occur, and the effects they can have on an athlete’s performance, focus, and overall well-being. He discusses the potential risks if concussions go untreated and why early detection and proper care are critical to both short-term recovery and long-term health. Patrick also shares return-to-play guidelines that help athletes safely transition back to competition after a concussion, what each stage of recovery should look like, the importance of baseline testing to measure progress, and how athletic trainers, coaches, and parents can work together to support an athlete’s recovery. Patrick also discusses which sports have the highest rates of concussions, how recovery can differ between male and female athletes, while also addressing common misconceptions—like “playing through” symptoms.