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Football concussions
- 1. The Football Concussion Epidemic BY ADAM SONDUCK
- 2. Webster defines aconcussion as; a : a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow; especially : a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function b : a hard blow or collision
- 3. About.com defines, morespecifically, sports concussion as; Concussions are traumatic head injuries that occur from both mild and severe blows to the head. Some head injuries may appear to be mild but research is finding that concussions can have serious, long-term effects, especially repeat head injuries or cumulative concussions. A concussion is typically caused by a severe head trauma during which the brain moves violently within the skull. The brain cells all fire at once, much like a seizure. Some studies show that patients who suffer a concussion appear to have the brain activity of people in a coma.
- 4. Common Concussion Symptoms Imbalance Headache Confusion Memory Loss Loss of Consciousness Vision Change Hearing Change Mood Change Fatigue Malaise
- 5. Concussions Levels ofSeverity Guidelines for Athletes Grade 1: Confusion lasting less than 15 minutes. Grade 2: Confusion and amnesia lasting more than 15 minutes Grade 3: Brief unconsciousness, more serious amnesia. Grade 1: May return to sport after 15 minutes if symptoms are gone. Grade 2: May return to sport after one symptom-free week. Grade 3: May return to sport after two symptom-free weeks.
- 7. Concussions and Football A professional football player will encounter 900 to 1500 blows to the head during a season. Impact speed of a football player tackling a stationary player: 25mph A college lineman experiences over 1,000 sub concussive head hits in an average season. Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males (75% chance of concussion) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative disease of the brain and is associated with repeated head traumas like concussions.
- 8. NFL Facts The NFL was founded in 1920, and consisted of 10 teams. The NFL is a 10 Billion dollar a year business. Today 32 teams make up the National Football League. Roger Goodell is the current NFL commissioner.
- 9. NFL Concussion SettlementFacts The NFL has agreed to a settlement of $765 million. The lawsuit was filed by more that 4,500 former players $75 million designated for baseline testing $10 million designated for medical research and education Remaining disbursements are as follows: $5 million to young retiree with ALS, $1.6 million to 50 year old with Alzheimer’s disease, and $25,000 to 80 year old with early dementia.
- 10. NFL Concussion Stats 2013: 228 diagnosed concussions, and only 152 were reported on the NFL’s official injury report 2012: 261 diagnosed concussions, and only 171 were reported on the NFL’s official injury report 2012/2013 combined: 49.5% of players never missed a game after suffering a concussion.
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- 12. ATTEMPTS AT SAFETY Steve Wallace, who suffered countless concussions through his career, was required to wear a Styrofoam cap on top of his helmet to reduce the impact of concussions
- 13. RIDDELL REVOLUTION Originallyreleased in 2002, Claimed to reduce chances of a concussion by 31%. Currently Used by 83% of NFL players. Helmet is designed around the head’s center of gravity. Now come equipped with Head Impact Telemetry Systems (HITS) technology.
- 14. Head Impact TelemetrySystems (HITS) Technology The HIT system is able to measure how hard, how often, and where on the helmet the impact occurs, as well as recording the acceleration of the head, to enable researchers to determine head impact exposure.
- 15. THE BOTTOM LINE Advancements in helmet technology cannot eliminate concussions. Once you have had a concussion, your more likely to get another one if you suffer an additional brain injury – and the brain is more susceptible to to long term damage if you do.