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How do concussions affect athletes and what are leagues doing to prevent them?

The NFL and the NHL React

           

Sports organizations have quickly changed the way they observe concussions. An NFL spokesperson was quoted saying, “there is absolutely no evidence to suggest a connection between the NFL and dementia”, yet the NFL has provided compensation for retired players that have received brain trauma from concussion. The NFL has made a few rule changes to lessen brain trauma. They moved the kickoff line placement from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line. They have also implemented full padding practices that can only be held 14 times a season. The NFL has also started paying certified trainers to monitor play and provide insight on a possible concussion. Over 120 players and their families have filed over a dozen lawsuits against the NFL for brain trauma they received while playing in the league. Concussions in the National Hockey League (NHL) have also been plentiful. Three players who played the most violent roles in the game, “enforcer”, died. One died of a drug overdose and the other two committed suicide. The proper medical term for what contributed to their death was chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. The NHL has stated that they will investigate ways to make the equipment and the game safer but has yet to do so.

The author focuses on two large sport leagues in the United States. He does not make any claims but simply states the facts. He cites a spokesperson saying there is no problem with concussions and then puts it into question because of what the NFL has done to compensate players. He also cites rule changes and other preventative matters taken by the NFL. The author also cites the deaths of three NHL players to appeal to the reader that concussions are a problem. While the author does not come right out and say it, there is an obvious feeling that they believe concussions are a serious matter. The credibility of this source is good but not great.

What is a concussion and how can it affect the brain?

Sports-Related Brain Injuries

by Christopher Nowinski

            An estimated 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries are attributed through sports and recreation. A concussion is defined as—a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that changes the way a person’s brain works. Concussions are far more serious than previously believed. In the past athletes were told to ignore concussions. The Sports Legacy Institute and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs examined 100 athletes, mostly boxers, football players, and hockey players, and found that 3 out of 4 athletes tested positive for a degenerative brain disease. 90% of concussions were not even diagnosed because the symptoms were subtle and the athletes did not know or were not encouraged to report them. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by several hits to the head. It can lead to dementia and possible death.

            In this article Christpher Nowinski gives facts about concussions and tells what concussions do. He states that 3 out of 4 athletes tested positive for degenerative brain disease. He also defines what a concussion is and slightly compares what people used to think and what is now known about concussions. The author uses two credible sources to back up his other facts. This is a very credible source and shows no bias point of view. This does help me in what to look for when it comes to concussions and knowing exactly what a concussion is.

How could some leagues change their equipment to reduce the number of concussions?

No debate on this: man-games lost to concussions on the upswing

Byline: JAMES MIRTLE

            Statistics, charts and videos were presented by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan to all 30 general managers of the teams. Some GMs were surprised at the

videos and charts, but some GMs like Brian Burke of the Toronto Maple Leafs does not think it is as bad as it is often made out to be. Some GMs think that the culture of the NHL has changed positively. One rule change that has been introduced in the NHL is the Rule 48. It is used to punish players for blindside hits. Players that suffer concussions or experience concussion like symptoms are immediately sent off the ice for evaluation. The NHL is trying to find other possible solutions for concussions. Some say that trying to change padding could help but it is a difficult process for it to get approved by all teams. There are four ways concussions are suffered in the NHL. There are concussions suffered through fights, accidental collisions and off of legal and illegal hits. The illegal hits are what the NHL is focusing on. Rule changes have not affected the game much, at least not yet. There will never be 0 concussions and the game is not worth watching if no one gets injured because that is the culture of the game.

            James Mirtle explains describes how GMs reacted to videos and charts regarding concussions. He quoted some GMs about the subject. He also explains new rule changes that have been implemented to try to reduce the rate of concussions and the efficiency at which they are treated. He also discusses some ways to help with the concussion issue but also states the problems with these solutions. He voices his opinion somewhat when he states that the rule changes have not helped the game. Overall this is a decent source..

How do concussions affect athletes in high school?

'Concussions Are No Fun'

By Kelly Whiteside

            Concussions do not just affect professional or college athletes. Concussions also affect high school athletes. A big problem with concussions for students is the affect they have in the classroom. An average high school athlete named Brianna Binowski spoke at her school. She said that after nine months she still gets headaches and it is hard to wake up. The NFL has brought a lot of awareness to concussions. Eight states passed concussion specific legislation to protect young athletes. The NFL and National Athletic

Trainers Association announced a partnership at the Youth Sports Safety Summit on Capitol Hill. They plan on establishing laws for minimum standards of concussion safety and management for high school sports. Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects individuals who have a disability (temporary or permanent) that affects their performance. Section 504 helps students who suffer from concussions relax a little and not get as stressed due to homework. According to studies, female athletes are more likely to suffer sports related concussions. Boys usually have more cognitive symptoms like difficulty concentrating. Girls have more neurological issues like trouble sleeping or over-sleeping and somatic issues such as headaches and sensitivity to light and various noises. For every concussion that is suffered in the NFL, there are 50,000 suffered by high school athletes. Ways to help students in school are: taking breaks, be given more time on tests and assignments, and reducing time spent on the computer.

            This article helped me in a big way. It not only showed me that concussions are a problem in high school but also informed me that females are more likely to get concussions than males. The author, Kelly Whiteside, also tells about a plan to try to prevent and reduce the rate of concussions. He uses a story about an average high school athlete who goes through the problems of a concussion every day. She also gives helpful ways to help students who suffer from concussions so they do not fall behind in school. The credibility of this source is good and was very useful to my research.

Works Cited

"Sports-Related Brain Injuries." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 23  Mar.  2012.

<http://school.eb.com/eb/article-302840>.

"Sports-Related Brain Injuries." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 23  Mar.  2012.

<http://school.eb.com/eb/article-302839>.

"No debate on this: man-games lost to concussions on the upswing." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada] 13 Mar. 2012: S1. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2012

Whiteside, Kelly. "'Concussions Are No Fun'." USA TODAY. 28 Dec 2010: C.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 29 Mar 2012.