Head injuries in sport - a serious health problem

"Is an entertaining sport that is shortening the lives of its players and turning the twilight years of veterans into nightmare scenarios really worth it?

At very least, it's worth considering drastic changes to the sport in terms of preventing head trauma, greatly improving equipment and making diagnosis and treatment of concussions a focus of sports medicine. Progress has been made in all of these areas, but more is needed.

The link that some have seen between the suicides of Duerson and Seau underscores the horrible issues that follow from playing football. Long after the final whistle has blown, long after the players leave the locker room, the lingering effects of playing a game are eroding and ending lives."

Please go here to read the complete article.  While the article is about American Football, the message applies to all sports and activities that risk knocks to the head.  

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The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Football star's suicide timely warning of consequences of repeated head injury

"Duerson, 50, was found dead Thursday night in his home outside Miami, Fla., with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. His suicide came after he reportedly requested via a text message to loved ones that his brain be examined for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease associated with repeated head injuries that can result in depression, dementia and suicide."
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/3927848-419/goodell-says-duersons-death-sad.html
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Gary:

The message in this article applies equally to other contact sports including rugby union and league which are very popular participation sports here in New Zealand. The sad news of this former American Football star's suicide is timely, considering all the media publicity happening here in NZ right now about depression, fronted by former All Black, John Kirwan who has published a book about his battle with depression.

Not once (as far as I am aware) has it been mentioned in this high profile campaign that repeated head injury, including "Bell Ringers" (No loss of consciousness), which happen all the time in rugby and league games, may lead to depression later in life.

If there is a history of more than a few concussions happening during sports participation, then immediate retirement is the best option.

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About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).