Concussion Informative Speech

Jack Wilkie
Comm107 Informative Speech Outline

Introduction
A) Traumatic Brain Injury’s are an injury that we are still finding out new information on. The extent of this in sports is also on a significantly more extreme level. The question I’m investigating and informing the audience of is whether or not the NFL taken appropriate measures in concussion prevention and rehabilitation?
B) Tie this in with my own personal experience of having two concussions and the emotional and physical effects it had on me. My dad’s hockey career was also cut short because of experiencing several concussions.
C) Wrap up introduction by talking about my subtopics. These include the health effects of concussions, the NFL’s actions, and moving forward in the
future. (new equipment technology, NFL’s intentions, etc.)

Body A) What is a concussion
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by contact to the head.
1) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “signs and symptoms of a concussion may loss of conscious-ness, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, double or blurry vision, balance issues, sensitivity to light or sound, and nausea or vomiting.”(Boriboon).
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, change to athlete’s behavior, etc. Because of the serious condition of the brain after a concussion, players are expected to sit out 2-4 weeks.
Long term effects
Conclude first point by talking about how because of the expectations and scale these pro athletes are playing on, they tend to mislead medical experts.
2) In the article, “Concussions in Sports and Recreation,” author Terry Adirim notes that, “ neuropsychological testing is the gold standard in the assessment of concussions. This is because there is evidence that underlying brain functions continue to be impaired even after reported clinical symptoms of concussion are gone”(Adirim).

B) NFL
Recently, Roger Goodell implemented a new medical committee to advise him on the issue of traumatic brain injuries.
i) Replaced the former Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, which was active from 1994 to
2009. ii) After concussions were being seen more and more, “rule changes on and off the field, and the appointment of a new scientific advisory committee to study the neurological issues associated with concussion in NFL athletes,”(Ellenbogen).
Go in to detail regarding former and current player’s who have been or are negatively affected by concussions
Situation with NFLPA
Possible case study of a player who experienced a specific condition from excessive head trauma
In 2013 alone, there were 228 diagnosed concussions during preseason and regular-season practices and games combined iii) “coaches typically are not familiar with the symptoms and treatment of concussions, and players have trouble diagnosing themselves, or are not likely to disclose their injury because they want to remain in the game,”(Heiner).

C) Moving Forward
-What can the NFL do to improve equipment safety?
-How could companies do this in a way that would not take away from the game?
- Concussions are harder to tell in some more than others so we need to enhance neuropsychological testing to fit all people i) “The potential short- and long-term adverse consequences of concussion require accurate diagnostic and therapeutic management strategies for gender, all ages, levels of competition and countries.” (Demont)

Conclusion
A) There is no denying that concussions are a serious problem in the world of sports today
Player’s who devote their life to something that is supposed to be their passions shouldn’t have to endure the detrimental effects of concussions later in their life
Depression, CTE, and other ailments can be prevented if we take more accurate measure

B) The NFL has taken progressive steps in concussion prevention and awareness
It is difficult for the NFL to really do anything more because of the criticism they’ll receive from acting too much or too little
The aggressive nature of the sport is why so many experience concussions
Can we educate players better in awareness so that they don’t try to play too soon
C) Is it possible to create better types of testing - If we change equipment for the better of the player’s, will this help stop the NFLPA Bibliography

Adirim, T.
(2007). Concussions in Sports and Recreation (1st ed., Vol. 8). Elsevier.

Boriboon, K. (2013). Concussion Management In Football: Don 't Shake It Off (1st ed., Vol. 5). American Physical Therapy Association.

Ellenbogen, R., Berger, M., & Batjer, H. (2010). The National Football League and Concussion: Leading a Culture Change in Contact Sports. Elsevier.

Feddermann-Demon, N., Straumann, D., & Dvorak, J. (2014, June 6). Return to play management after concussion in football: Recommendations for team physicians. Retrieved February 13, 2015. Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Heiner, J. (2008). CONCUSSIONS IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: JANI V. BERT BELL/PETE ROZELLE NFL PLAYER RET. PLAN AND A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE NFL 'S 2007 CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES. Retrieved February 13, 2015, from http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/?shr=t&csi=144694&sr=TITLE(CONCUSSIONS IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: JANI v. BERT BELL/PETE ROZELLE NFL PLAYER RET. PLAN AND A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE NFL 'S 2007
CONCUSS