| 22 July 2010
Concussions have become a focal point of of discussion among athletes of all sports whether young or old.
For years concussions were written off as insignificant mostly due to the fact that you cannot physically see a concussion as you would with a broken bone or laceration. But concussions are much more deadlier than a simple broken bone. They are the silent killer that causes slow and deepening brain damage over a period of time that more and more athletes need to be made aware of.
A new infographic was recently released on the topic of Concussions and the role they play in sports. The infographic detailed the startling statistics that should alarm any coach, spouse, trainer or parent.
During a concussion, neural tissue is violently jolted within the skull, which can directly damage brain cells and blood vessels that directly feed the neural tissue. A common misconception about concussions is the fact that you have to be hit in the head in order to suffer a concussion, when in reality, any blow to the body that causes a quick movement of the head can cause a concussion.
Hit the title/read more to continue reading on the toll concussions are taking on athletes young and old...
In a recent Outside the Lines story on concussions, high school athletes were asked if they would tell their coach or trainer if they think they experienced a concussion and more than three quarters of the student players asked said they would not inform anyone because they ultimately want to play. In a particular touching story, a young quarterback by the name of Max was injured during a game but being the type of player who never wanted to leave the field, continued to play for the rest of the game and the following week. It was during the 2nd game that Max suffered another devastating hit, causing him to lose consciousness and ultimately be in a coma for two months. The ending investigation into how this could have happened resulted in the discovery of players using reconditioned 20 year old helmets and the lack of a doctor or certified team trainer that could have identified the initial concussion.
Simply astonishing is the fact that 58% of high schools do not have access to a certified personal trainer. How many concussions are affecting young athletes right this very second that left untreated?
Besides insufficient equipment and staff, until recently concussions were written off as not a big issue. Pro athletes are not immune to concussions by any means. Kurt Warner has famously suffered through numerous concussions, ultimately forcing an early retirement to a player that is clearly still able to play physically. Warner cited reasons towards the quality of life he wanted to enjoy after the NFL, something some players do not grasp until its already too late. Recent brain scans of former NFL players, show similarities to an elderly person with dementia.
Considering that there are 160 reported concussions every year, that's a pretty scary thought that the average NFL retirement age is mid-30's and some players have the mental capacity of elderly person with dementia.
Football is not the only sport that suffers from concussions.
What can we do about concussions?
What many suggest but also is extremely unlikely to happen is the change major sports leagues could implement to decrease the chance of a possible concussion.
Athletes play hard and hit harder therefore sports will never be totally concussion free, but if we want to see our star athletes long after they hang up the jersey, perhaps some of these changes need to happen.
Another option is allowing funding to high schools
to ensure they have the proper equipment to protect the brain while it is still developing. (your brain doesn't stop developing until your 25 years old) Pro football athletes have had the liberty of modern technology in their helmets and perhaps the kids should have access to this as well.
The question remains, how do we decrease the amount of concussions every year and help to raise more awareness?
There are some suggestions for preventing a concussions in both professional and personal life....remember you don't have to be a star running back in order to get a concussion.
To see the complete infographic on concussions, check out
infographic.com.A new infographic was recently released on the topic of Concussions and the role they play in sports. The infographic detailed the startling statistics that should alarm any coach, spouse, trainer or parent.
During a concussion, neural tissue is violently jolted within the skull, which can directly damage brain cells and blood vessels that directly feed the neural tissue. A common misconception about concussions is the fact that you have to be hit in the head in order to suffer a concussion, when in reality, any blow to the body that causes a quick movement of the head can cause a concussion.
Hit the title/read more to continue reading on the toll concussions are taking on athletes young and old...
In a recent Outside the Lines story on concussions, high school athletes were asked if they would tell their coach or trainer if they think they experienced a concussion and more than three quarters of the student players asked said they would not inform anyone because they ultimately want to play. In a particular touching story, a young quarterback by the name of Max was injured during a game but being the type of player who never wanted to leave the field, continued to play for the rest of the game and the following week. It was during the 2nd game that Max suffered another devastating hit, causing him to lose consciousness and ultimately be in a coma for two months. The ending investigation into how this could have happened resulted in the discovery of players using reconditioned 20 year old helmets and the lack of a doctor or certified team trainer that could have identified the initial concussion.
Simply astonishing is the fact that 58% of high schools do not have access to a certified personal trainer. How many concussions are affecting young athletes right this very second that left untreated?
Besides insufficient equipment and staff, until recently concussions were written off as not a big issue. Pro athletes are not immune to concussions by any means. Kurt Warner has famously suffered through numerous concussions, ultimately forcing an early retirement to a player that is clearly still able to play physically. Warner cited reasons towards the quality of life he wanted to enjoy after the NFL, something some players do not grasp until its already too late. Recent brain scans of former NFL players, show similarities to an elderly person with dementia.
Considering that there are 160 reported concussions every year, that's a pretty scary thought that the average NFL retirement age is mid-30's and some players have the mental capacity of elderly person with dementia.
Football is not the only sport that suffers from concussions.
What many suggest but also is extremely unlikely to happen is the change major sports leagues could implement to decrease the chance of a possible concussion.
Athletes play hard and hit harder therefore sports will never be totally concussion free, but if we want to see our star athletes long after they hang up the jersey, perhaps some of these changes need to happen.
Another option is allowing funding to high schools
The question remains, how do we decrease the amount of concussions every year and help to raise more awareness?
To see the complete infographic on concussions, check out
