In the past decade, the effects of head injuries sustained from contact sports have generated a great amount of public interest. Recently, there has been a higher awareness of the effects of concussions, and greater caution has been taken in regards to the athlete 's long term health. It is more understood now than in previous years that every concussion causes some amount of brain damage and should be taken more seriously. This issue is so mainstream, there is a screen play titled Concussion to be released this year. This is causing a culture shift in most sports, and the methods of addressing these injuries has changed dramatically due to what has reportedly happened to former athletes. Short term symptoms of concussions include dizziness,
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He was on life support for seven days and could speak for nine months. He spent two years using a feeding tube, and it took four years before he could move his right leg purposefully. Forty eight states now have implemented the Zackery Lystedt Law that prevents student-athletes from returning to the field before they have fully recovered from concussions. These laws are put into place to educate athletes, parents and coaches of the results of these types of injuries and require player to be cleared by licensed medical professional before returning to the field. However, even with these laws and heightened awareness of these injuries, several high school students have reportedly died during football games and practice in the United States this …show more content…
In the past two years, more than seventy former National Hockey League players have sued after evidence has been found proving long-term effects of multiple concussions (Branch). The law suits began after ten year NHL veteran, Steve Montador, was found dead at the age of 35 in February of 2015 (Branch). Hockey players receive some concussions in a way similar to boxers. They fight each other after removing helmets in order to defend their teammates. Body checking is also essential in hockey games, and is the cause of more than 64% of all concussions (Balukjian). At some levels, fighting is not allowed during games. There are also body checking rules that are designed to prevent detrimental head injuries. The National Hockey League has the least number of rules, and it is actually hurting the sport. Parents are going to be less likely to enroll their children in this sport until extreme measures are taken to promote the safety of these
He was on life support for seven days and could speak for nine months. He spent two years using a feeding tube, and it took four years before he could move his right leg purposefully. Forty eight states now have implemented the Zackery Lystedt Law that prevents student-athletes from returning to the field before they have fully recovered from concussions. These laws are put into place to educate athletes, parents and coaches of the results of these types of injuries and require player to be cleared by licensed medical professional before returning to the field. However, even with these laws and heightened awareness of these injuries, several high school students have reportedly died during football games and practice in the United States this …show more content…
In the past two years, more than seventy former National Hockey League players have sued after evidence has been found proving long-term effects of multiple concussions (Branch). The law suits began after ten year NHL veteran, Steve Montador, was found dead at the age of 35 in February of 2015 (Branch). Hockey players receive some concussions in a way similar to boxers. They fight each other after removing helmets in order to defend their teammates. Body checking is also essential in hockey games, and is the cause of more than 64% of all concussions (Balukjian). At some levels, fighting is not allowed during games. There are also body checking rules that are designed to prevent detrimental head injuries. The National Hockey League has the least number of rules, and it is actually hurting the sport. Parents are going to be less likely to enroll their children in this sport until extreme measures are taken to promote the safety of these