ABOUT CONCUSSIONS
Concussions are a form of brain trauma that occur whenever the brain moves inside of the head which often happens from severe collisions.
The reason for why concussions are so common in football is due to the high speed and high contact play that tends to result in many hard collisions whether it is between to players or between the helmet and the ground.
Sometimes concussions can occur without contact to the head and in that case it is due to an abrupt stop of motion which leaves the brain still moving while the body is stopped causing the brain to bump with the inside of the skull resulting in a concussion.
WHAT IS CTE?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive brain condition that's thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion. It's particularly associated with contact sports, such as boxing or American football.
Symptoms
There are no specific symptoms that have been clearly linked to CTE. Some of the possible signs and symptoms of CTE can occur in many other conditions. In the few people with proved CTE, signs and symptoms have included cognitive, behavioral, mood and motor changes.
Cognitive impairment
- Difficulty thinking (cognitive impairment)
- Memory loss
- Problems with planning, organization and carrying out tasks (executive function)
Behavioral changes
- Impulsive behavior
- Aggression
Mood disorders
- Depression or apathy
- Emotional instability
- Substance misuse
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Motor symptoms
- Parkinsonism
- Motor neuron disease
I have an enormous passion for the brain and began to research concussions and CTE as it has inflicted so many professional football players that I have followed. As I continued my research in my AP Research course, I soon learned that particular helmets and the materials they are made of are very important in head injury prevention.
It is my goal to spread awareness to my community and offer ways in which our young athletes can have the resources to better sports equipment or just any equipment for that matter for their safety and well-being of their athletic future.
HISTORY OF THE FOOTBALL HELMET
Throughout football history helmets have always been evolving since the earliest stages of the sport. The helmet began as a leather cap then in an attempt to increase safety the head gear changed to a plastic model in the 1930s. These plastic helmets were also equipped with metal face masks.
The helmet would then begin to be improved year to year, however, in 1985 poly-carbonate was used to replace the plastic material as it was much more durable. Poly-carbonate is still used in helmets to this day and now the helmets evolve every year solely with the purpose of reducing the number of concussions experienced by the player.
Via pickhelmet.com
