Football Players and Brain Injury- A Serious Health Issue

Football Players and Brain Injury- A Serious Health Issue

What an overwhelming shot it would be when football players head the ball direct to the goal!!! Yes that job is neither easy, we all know it. But besides the amazing match, we should be aware of the brain injury caused during playing.

Football game is known for its largest amount of time spend in running by the players. The football players are said to be the healthiest as they go through such complex workout of running so long, slipping and the most injuries on ground.

Despite of so many injuries many players are not aware about the serious health issue of CONCUSSION- TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

What is Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury is generally caused by hitting your head with force or on violent shaking of head that directly affects your brain. This can occur in any sport.

Brain is the most important part of your body that controls all other organs functionality and also mental as well as physical actions. Every cell in your brain is interconnected to different parts in your body. A minor head shake wont make any difference, but a single blood clot can result into tumor. It is said that brain injury can lead to memory loss, chronic headache, dizziness and even cause depressions. It can also result in many neuropathological changes.

Researchers found that the effect of Brain Injury is found after the player gets retired. It symptoms are found very late which makes situations worse.

Why is Brain Injury Common In Football Players

Studies have shown that football players who head the ball often are more prone to brain injury. Players get hit on their heads number of times not only by ball but also by other players. Research show that injury caused by hitting the head to the knee of other person are other major causes of head injury. Footballers get these injuries everyday, but no one bothers, leading themselves to more health problems.

To understand how much the players are affected with this, researchers put many soccer players on an questionnaire. Here they were divided into four different sections. Sections were based on how often they headed the ball, with the top group heading at an average of 125 times in two weeks and the bottom group heading the ball four times in two weeks.

After deep studying conclusions came out that the group of most headers were 3 times more likely to have symptoms than others. And studies also suggested that women are more prone to brain injury even after being the least in heading the ball.

Prevention

Our brain continues to develop until the age of 20 to 25. If it is harmed during this age, brain may physically recover whole, but may lack the tendency to pick up new skills. This is why many schools and colleges do not allow students to play football.

Children’s brain are easier to get damaged and also takes 6 to 10 times more to recover than adults.

Today’s generation is more fond of football and soccer. It is surely not right to stop children from dreaming. But we can make certain preventing measures to reduce this risk of brain injuries. Some are as follows:

• Wear proper fitted protective equipment’s. Do not end up getting injured with the equipment’s itself. Be very careful.

• Studies say that body immune is also responsible as body could not make up for the injuries. Keep yourself well hydrated and healthy. Before heading to practices remember to feed yourself full.

• While on the ground if you feel any kind of issues related to brain, take time to recover and if problem persist meet doctor as soon as possible. If you find signs of concussions take a break from playing or until doctors say.

• Take time to recover from the exertion after playing. Once you are ready in whole, then only go back to play.

• On-field rescue operations should be present with players even during practices.

• Have your physical examination done before playing.

REMEMBER “No passion is more important than your HEALTH”!!!