The Dangers Of Concussions In Sports

Recently over the previous decades, concussions have increasingly received attention in the world of sports. A concussion is a serious head injury that can happen to any player, and in just about any sport. Indeed, it has been happening to a countless number of athletes for centuries. However, it is also important to note that a concussion can also take place outside of sports, meaning it can happen to anybody. For instance, there have been incidents where a person tripped while running, fell, and the impact of their head’s contact with the ground has caused a concussion. Or, in a car accident many front-seat passengers, or even the driver, have slammed their heads against the dashboard/steering wheel, also possibly resulting in a concussion.

Head injuries have evolved into such a heavy topic, that many football programs are starting to take initiative, to show players in any level of football, the basics of how to properly tackle the opponent. For unknown reasons, defenders have forgotten the correct way to tackle and this has led to most of the injuries that have been accumulating over time. Nowadays, squaring up, thrusting your hip into your target and wrapping up, has been out the window. This tactic is overwhelming, as defenders have now become human torpedoes. By forcibly launching themselves into their target, they are putting both players at high risk of serious I hurt. This unprofessional and dangerous form of bringing down someone is highly likely to create a helmet to helmet to collision, resulting in concussions. Programs such as “Heads Up Football” were created with the idealistic purpose to show the players how to properly tackle. The NFL commissioner is behind this program due to the fact that he believes, by affecting the learning process in the football, little leagues, this will impact the future of the NFL. Strictly because the foundation of football is now being taught on how accurately and precisely perform a tackle. With the abundance of head injuries that players are unfortunately suffering with, the NFL is trying to change the game so that it can be a safer zone for the players. They are making

(2013) The spectrum of disease in chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Brain 136: 43–64. doi: 10.1093/brain/aws307 PMID: 23208308

Omalu B, Bailes J, Hamilton RL, Kamboh MI, Hammers J, et al. (2011) Emerging histomorphologic phenotypes of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in American athletes. Neurosurgery 69: 173–183. doi:
10.1227/NEU.0b013e318212bc7b PMID: 21358359

McCrory P (2013) Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport: The 4th International Conference on
Concussion in Sport Held in Zurich (November 2012). Br J Sports Med 47: 250–258. doi: 10.1136 bj sports-2013-092313 PMID: 23479479

McKee AC, Cantu RC, Nowinski CJ, Hedley-Whyte ET, Gavett BE, et al. (2009) Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes: progressive tauopathy after repetitive head injury. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol
68: 709–735. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0b013e3181a9d503 PMID: 19535999

Smith DH, Johnson VE, Stewart W (2013) Chronic neuropathologies of single and repetitive TBI: substrates of dementia? Nat Rev Neurol 9:211–221. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2013.29 PMID: 23458973

Gardner A, Iverson GL, McCrory P (2013) Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in sport: a systematic review.
Br J Sports Med 48: 84–90. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092646 PMID: