2 min read • January 04, 2023
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Concussions, potentially leading to head injuries or brain damage, are among the most common and dangerous sports injuries. Most contact sports like boxing, football, rugby, soccer, and lacrosse engage in different tackle techniques or acts that may cause concussions. So, of these, what sport has the most concussions?
According to statistics, rugby is the sport that has the most concussions. While many believe this is debatable given that football has a faster pace and players dive head first, statistics show that concussion rates are 2.5/1000 AEs in rugby vs 1.0/1000 AEs in football.
The research used comparisons between American college rugby and football teams. Usually, when a player sustains a head injury, measures are taken almost immediately to ascertain wellness. This is because concussions can go from mild to life-threatening if taken with levity. For this reason, safety measures have been implemented to help reduce sports injuries.
Concussions are a form of brain injury which may be due to forceful head collisions with a hard object which causes (C.T.E) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is common in contact sports like football and boxing due to repeated punches to the head, violent shaking of the head and body, or forceful head collisions against hard surfaces.
Concussions may have several mild or significant effects, whether in the short or long term. Some of these include:
Fainting spells
Memory loss
Headaches
Anxiety
Sleep disturbances
Brain damage resulting in disabilities
Death
Whether football, rugby, boxing, hockey, or lacrosse, concussions are rampant because of the contact requirements of these games. For sports involving brute strength, force, tackles, and various hands-on tactics, sports injuries would inevitably range from mild to severe.
So, when a player gets a concussion on the field, the medical staff immediately deploys to the field for treatment. They examine the player to determine the severity of the impact. If it is only mild, the player can be allowed back on the field following confirmation from video reviews of the hit. Ice packs could be the only necessary treatment.
However, if medical staff are not convinced about the severity, the player would be pulled from the field for proper evaluation. This is particularly important to avoid second impact syndrome, which could result in significant health consequences.
The game-day concussion protocol, also called the National football league (NFL) Concussion Protocol is set aside as a set of safety measures observed before returning to the game for players who experienced concussions during the match. They give the ‘go-ahead’ or the ‘no-go’ to return after ascertaining the player’s level of wellness.
Protocols taken may include:
Looking out for symptoms like disorientation and instability
Performing focused neurological exams
Review of the game’s video recording to determine the severity, and
Asking Maddock’s set of questions.
The protocols may be observed by teammates, coaches, NFL officials, trainers, team physicians, booth ATC spotters, or unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants.
If, after the protocol, the player is evaluated to be expected, then the concussion is considered mild, and the player may return to play. If otherwise, the player must not return and must be escorted for further extermination. A team physician, UNC, and CAT-certified athletic trainers will complete a neurological exam and an NFL Sport concussion assessment.
These include the step-by-step recommendation by health professionals to athletes who suffered from concussions, whether during the match or practice, and they comprise the following:
Plentiful rest
Avoid strenuous activities
Pain medications
Hydrating with water
Avoid alcohol intake to speed up recovery
Reduce screen time
Cardiovascular exercise to improve heart health
Supervised stretching exercises
Football-specific exercises
Non-contact training drills
Return to normal football practice
All the above will be under strict supervision for correctness and monitoring and to certify clearance of said player. Concussions can go from mild to severe and should not be taken with levity, so these protocols exist.
The National football league (NFL) has enforced strict rules against violent behaviors, harmful tackles, and other related game behavior that can harm a player’s well-being.
Illegal techniques, such as certain fouls, are ruled out, and better game gear like helmets, shin guards, and other necessities are provided. In addition, preseason practices to improve safety, education, concussion reports, and other injury reduction plans are in place.
Warnings and penalties are set in place for violators of stipulated rules. Finally, certified healthcare experts and institutions are directly involved in the prevention, treatments, diagnosis, and research on better ways to solve concussions and other sports injuries—all these and more to promote the safety of players.
Indoor games such as swimming or outdoor games like golf are the safest. These sports are carefully monitored and do not involve tackles, punches, or contact with opposing teams making them the safest sports games.
Contact or impacts are the most common causes, whether due to blows, collisions, or falls. If the head shakes violently and the brain crashes against the skull, you will experience a concussion. Boxing, for instance, involves repetitive punches to the skull to disorient the opponent.
Helmets are the most commonly used headgear for protecting against concussions. They are commonly used in sports that involve either contact or potential accidents. Helmets protect against skull fractures, concussions, face injuries, and brain damage. There are also concussion headbands and mouth guards, which help reduce head injuries on impact.
All sports have their dangers, and while football may rank the highest, measures are being implemented to maintain a fair game and give speedy medical treatments. Therefore, players get to do what they do best without worry because certified healthcare professionals are on standby for their utmost care.
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