Brain Changes Found in High School Football Players Thought to Be Concussion-Free

[HuckleB]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007171417.htm

"A study by researchers at Purdue University suggests that some high school football players suffer undiagnosed changes in brain function and continue playing even though they are impaired.

"Our key finding is a previously undiscovered category of cognitive impairment," said Thomas Talavage, an expert in functional neuroimaging who is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and electrical and computer engineering and co-director of the Purdue MRI Facility.

The findings represent a dilemma because they suggest athletes may suffer a form of injury that is difficult to diagnose.

"The problem is that the usual clinical signs of a head injury are not present," said Larry Leverenz, an expert in athletic training and a clinical professor of health and kinesiology. "There is no sign or symptom that would indicate a need to pull these players out of a practice or game, so they just keep getting hit."

..."

-------------------------------------


I'm not proposing a solution, largely because I don't have one, but maybe some of you have ideas.

:hi:

[hedgehog]

1. Either reform the game or stop playing football if it destroys

people's brains?

[LiberalFighter]

4. Change the rules.

20 yard penalty for anyone using their head to hit or hitting someone's head while attacking a player. And the player involved is automatically ejected for two games and then must clear medical.

Too harsh?

[hedgehog]

5. From what I gather, taking a hard slam to the ground, even if

the head never hits the ground, is enough to tear the brain loose from some of its moorings inside the head. The stress actually cause microscopic tears throughout the brain. I think everyone takes a hard fall from time to time, but should we be playing a game that involves repeated hard falls?

I imagine there are a number of sports at the hairy edge of causing concussion. I can imagine something like bobsledding having problems.

[HuckleB]

6. Observable head injuries are definitely on the rise in other sports, too.

So, yeah.

Basketball and Concussions: How to Protect Your Teen
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/basketball-concussions-head-injuries-rise-teen-sports/story?id=11603847

Part of me wonders about the amount of practice, and the number of games kids must play nowadays. The whole culture seems out of whack, and it's theoretically possible that this is one of the physical outcomes. I'd like to see someone study the social outcomes, too.

[LiberalFighter]

7. I would agree. Another one that could cause the same effect would be wrestling.

I'm not even referring to fake wrestling. The mat may be better than a hard wood floor but still not enough cushion when a wrestler is taken down hard.

[mzteris]

9. hockey and diving

immediately come to mind. . .

[wtmusic]

2. Getting Repeatedly Hit on the Head May be Hazardous to your Health.

Warning stickers for helmets? :shrug:

[aquart]

3. Don't let ex-football players run for office?

Won't solve their problem but maybe some of ours would go away.

[Kennah]

8. Because of that dumbass witch ...

... now anytime I read the word "brain" I immediately think of "mouse".