Essay On Concussions

One of the most controversial topics in all of sports is the problem of concussions. These problems include their long-term impact on the brain, their immediate effect of one’s cognitive ability, how to prevent them in the future, along with much more. Every year, advancement in concussion research along with studies done worldwide occur. Developments from these studies continue to expand our knowledge of these injuries and give insight on how to better treat and avoid them completely. Today and in the future, different technologies and methods are being developed to prevent concussions and protect athletes at all levels. Concussions occur when someone experiences repeated blows or a violent blow to the head causing the head and brain to rapidly
In a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) a couple years ago, tool kits were distributed to schools which proved to improve a coach’s ability to understand concussions and their severity and educate their athletes and others on the topic (Sarmiento). Especially with new information, people continue to become more and more aware of the problems concussions present. While concussions before were looked at as an athlete being soft, weak, and lazy by coaches and parents, they are not ignored and looked away from like before. Major sports leagues like the NFL and even individual states for schools have developed concussion protocols and laws that must be followed to protect the well-being of the athletes. “Laws in the majority of states require that a youth athlete be removed from play when a concussion is suspected” whether a clear blow was seen or slight symptoms are observed (Graham). These protocols follow a multi-step process meant to safely easy athletes back to playing. The protocol I had to follow for New Jersey and my high school involved first being symptom free and then completing five levels of physical activity in consecutive days to be cleared. Almost every protocol is much like this and is vital in preventing athletes from prolonging their concussions
The prime example of this regards helmets in football. Advancements of helmet technology is evident in the leather caps that were once worn to the hard-shelled helmets that are used today. Even with the progress that has been made, helmet technology continues to be reimagined since problems such as the effect that different impacts have on players, the causes of concussion, and proper ways to test helmet safety and designs remain to be glaring issues (Polnerow). The startup company VICIS is rethinking the way helmets are made and designing them specifically for concussion prevention. The company consisting mainly of neurosurgeons and engineers have “developed a multilayered, highly-engineered helmet design that mitigates linear and rotational impact forces” (ZERO1). Unlike the traditional hard outer and padded inner helmet of today, the VICIS Zero1 helmet has a soft outer shell meant to collapse and absorb the force and displace it more like a car bumper than the average helmet (Tracy). The inner structure of the helmet then moves in all directions to reduce forces experienced by the user. The helmet also offers a better way to fit it to individuals heads so it can properly stop the head from unwanted movement. Regarding other sports, anti-concussion headbands in soccer, padding within baseball hats, etc. are being developed and continuously improved to reduce