Concussions and brain injuries have become a major concern in contact sports like football, hockey, soccer, wrestling, and others where athletes experience repetitive blows to the head. A concussion is typically caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function and can lead to a more serious brain injury. Concussions can have both short-term and long-term consequences.
Concussion Rates in Youth Sports
Concussions are especially concerning in youth sports. Young athletes’ brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to concussions and prolonged recovery times. According to the CDC, U.S. emergency rooms treat around 190,000 sports-related TBIs in children under 19 every year. And according to the CPSC, 40% of football concussions are caused by player to head contact.
In Arizona, one-third of high school senior athletes have suffered at least one concussion. Football has the highest rates of concussion, followed by girls’ soccer, boys’ lacrosse, and ice hockey.
Long-Term Dangers of Concussions
Multiple concussions or repeated hits to the head in a short timeframe can have cumulative effects leading to long-term neurological problems. Post-concussion syndrome can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and memory issues lasting weeks or months after the initial injury. Second impact syndrome, sustaining a second concussion before fully recovering from the first, can result in severe disability or even death in rare cases.
Later in life, athletes who suffered multiple concussions have a higher risk of developing the degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE causes cognitive, behavioral, and mood problems like memory loss, depression, and dementia. Former NFL players have had severe cases of CTE in studies, raising concerns about the safety of contact sports like football. A Boston University report found that 345 out of 376 deceased NFL players had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
New research is also linking concussions to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which are both highly debilitating conditions. The brain inflammation and tau protein buildup caused by head trauma can accelerate these diseases. The brain’s attempts to repair itself after injury may also contribute to plaque formation associated with Alzheimer’s.
Multiple concussions appear to have a cumulative effect, accelerating the onset of cognitive decline. Athletes who experience repetitive head impacts should be aware of the potential for developing neurodegenerative issues even decades after retiring from contact sports. Monitoring cognitive health is important.
Protecting Arizona Athletes
To better prevent concussions and their consequences, there is legislation in place requiring schools to remove athletes from play after a suspected concussion and receive medical clearance before returning. Most states require students suspected of having a concussion to be removed from play for the rest of the day or 24 hours. Arizona law says students can return to play the same day if they are cleared by a health professional. However, experts recommend a more cautious approach of resting the brain to allow full recovery. ImPACT testing is also widely used now to determine readiness to return to play after a concussion.
Continuing research on concussion prevention, including improvements to helmets and equipment, is also needed to reduce head injuries in sports. Safer practice drills, tackling techniques, and rule changes can also help lower the number of head impacts. There is still room for improvement when it comes to implementing best safety practices.
Awareness is key to keeping Arizona athletes safe. Coaches, parents, and players should be educated on recognizing a concussion, responding properly when one occurs, and allowing full recovery before returning to play. Concussion awareness has expanded in recent years but further emphasizing this issue and changing the culture around reporting symptoms is important. While concussions may never be fully eliminated from contact sports, the risk can be reduced by taking them seriously and prioritizing player safety and long-term health over playing time.
The seriousness of concussions should not be underestimated. Speak to a brain injury lawyer from Monge & Associates if this issue affects you or your family. We can advise you on your legal options and help secure the compensation needed to cover medical bills, lost income, and other costs stemming from the injury. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the incident and identify liable parties like coaches, schools, or organizations that failed to prevent the injury. We negotiate on your behalf and represent your best interests, taking the stress out of this difficult process.
We have offices in 32 locations and 19 states, including Arizona, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Call now for a free consultation on (888) 477-0597 if you have been injured playing contact sports such as football in Arizona.