Concussions, when you hear this word you start to think of your brain and some sort of physical activity. Concussions if not taken seriously can be fatal. CTE stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. “CTE is a progressive brain disease believed to be caused by repetitive trauma to the brain” (“Boogaard” 2). CTE was first called “punch-drunk” and it was founded in boxing. It is important to know that concussions are the highest occurring injury in all of sports. “The CDC estimates reveal that 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occur each year”(“Mayo Clinic” 1). Despite all of the safety efforts to eliminate them, concussions are still probable to occur among athletes.
Guidelines have been developed to reduce the risk …show more content…
Every helmet in the National Football League (NFL) must pass a test from the National Operating Committee for Standards in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) to be approved for use. The installment of the targeting penalty has reduced the amount of concussions, but some coaches fear that the rule has affected the player aggressiveness. The National Hockey League (NHL) revealed a concussion prevention plan back in 2011. The plan consisted of 5 steps to try and eliminate or reduce concussions from pro hockey. The steps included working with equipment safety, immediate removal from play if shown signs of listlessness after hit, penalties will be assessed to offenders for illegal hits, hire an engineering firm to evaluate rink safety, and form a blue-ribbon committee to evaluate concussion related topics (“Prevention Plan” 1). These steps have helped slow down concussions, but the NHL continues to try and find new ways to stop them. Concussions in soccer are trying to be eliminated by using padded goal posts, and by checking the air pressure of the soccer ball more frequently. FIFA has not yet implemented the padded goal posts, but we are starting to see that done more in youth and high school soccer