Concussions have started to be brought forward after the discovery of many ex-NFL players developing and ultimately dying with chronic traumatic encephalophy (CTE). CTE in NFL players has shown to cause neurological deterioration. The players later diagnosed with this have shown to have similar symptoms to those of Alzheimer’s disease but the difference is these symptoms are occurring in their 40’s.The result of this discover has been more intense concussion protocol in the NFL, NCAA and in high school leagues everywhere. But the biggest question is if this is enough to prevent football players and other athletes from developing CTE.
Two Major Issues
One of the biggest issues with concussion is being a to properly diagnose the concussion along with correctly diagnosing the severity. Right now the protocol for diagnosing a concussion is Glasgow Coma Score. This is a point system that rates different symptoms with points. The lower the score the more severe the concussion but other than just the analyzing the symptoms there is no other real testing done to athletes. Imagining systems do exist that can help diagnose a concussion but the issue is that insurance companies do not support the the cost of using these machines to just diagnose a concussion when the Glasgow Coma Score seems to be sufficient.
The second major issue with concussion is knowing when the brain is fully healed and when it is safe for athletes to return to their normal physical and mental activity. It is understood that when people symptom free of a concussion that they are allowed to return to all activities but the question is if that means the brain is fully healed. That is a hard question to answer because most techniques that would be used to discover if the brain is fully healed would cost to much and our understanding of concussions is very little.
Preventing CTE
Preventing CTE is one of the main reasons concussions have been brought to the forefront of many athletic sport committees. But the real problem is if the athlete is allowed to make a decision to back to actives that puts them at risk of more concussions. It is very common for an NFL player to be diagnosed with a mild concussion and still be able to play the next week but at what point does a player reach too many concussions. Many NFL athletes keep playing after having multiple concussions for a lot of them they are just wanting to live in the present and are not necessarily thinking about the future, is this okay? The same problem is now starting with children. Kids in contact sports are now being diagnosed and watched for concussions because of the severe consequences in the future. At the high school level a lot of states will not let athletes return after so many concussions, but is this their choice to make or the athletes. America is based off a system of freedom and rights, and the right to play a sport is one of them. So is the future of an athletes in their sport after concussions up to the athlete or the league they are in. As of now the NFL leaves it up to the players and their doctors and for the high school leagues it is up to the state. Parents will agree with the state leagues while players may like having the choice. Either way CTE is still a potential for both sets of athletes.
CTE is consequence of concussions and is starting to become at the forefront of the sport world because of recent NFL players passing away with this disease. Should contact sports be taken away, should athletes be able to determine their future, or should the various leagues step in and prevent athletes from continuously coming back and further increasing their chances of developing CTE. Either way the health system needs to come up with better ways to diagnose concussions and better ways to determine the time need to recover. As a athlete I want to get back as soon as possible but at the same time I still need to consider my health down the road. More research needs to be done and more teaching and information needs to be brought to the players and their families.
Players Choice? or The Leagues?
