BETTENDORF, Iowa — After Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a third concussion Thursday night, some question if he should continue playing.
In an effort to prevent concussions like that, some high schools around the Quad Cities use Guardian Caps during practice. It's a padded helmet covering that can reduce the force of an impact by up to a third, according to University Hospitals.
At least 10 high schools have Guardian Caps. Some, like Davenport Central, North Scott and Rockridge, use them for every player. At Muscatine and Fulton, high-impact players like linemen are required to wear them. The coach at Fulton told News 8 the caps are also used by athletes who've had a concussion in the past.
But Jessica Rummery, athletic trainer at Bettendorf High School, said the Guardian Caps aren't the only way to prevent concussions. And when athletes do get concussions, there's a safe way to get them back in the game.
It starts with an impact, typically during a game. A player might stumble, shake their head or be slow to get off the field. Rummery gives the player a quick exam, testing reaction time and impulse control.
"Once we are suspicious of concussion, and are kind of investigating and may see more signs and symptoms in the testing be positive for some altered state, we remove them from the sport immediately," Rummery said.
To return to play, the athlete needs to wait until their symptoms are gone. They also need a gradual reintroduction to physical activity.
When concussions are managed properly, Rummery said long-term impacts like CTE are less likely. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative disease caused by repeated head impacts. She said concussions should be treated like any other sports injury. With the right recovery process, it's easy for athletes to safely return to play.
"If you do the appropriate rehabilitation, and the appropriate return to the sport, the risks of developing the scary things are less," Rummery said. "So if we're making sure athletes aren't returning too soon, or aren't hiding their symptoms from us and playing while concussed, the risks of things like that are much, much lower."
While Bettendorf High School doesn't have Guardian Caps, she said there are other ways to prevent concussions.
"Coaches are very helpful on proper tackling techniques, heads-up football is key," Rummery said. "And I think things like appropriate rest, education on rest and hydration and nutrition is important for these kids as well."
Rummery said strength and conditioning programs are important for all athletes. That can help them withstand more force in an impact.