News
Coaches: Avoid Repeated Concussions without Breaking the Bank
Source: Dr. Steven Broglio/New York Times
There are some pretty impressive technology tools being developed for measuring concussion, but with high schools facing financial cutbacks it’s difficult to make the technology available. Also, someone has to know how to apply and interpret the technology to make it a useful tool in determining whether a player should be pulled from the game or not. There is an ingenious way of measuring concussion developed by two professors at the University of Michigan. It costs almost nothing, it’s easy to use, and most importantly it is a valid measuring tool. All it requires is a hockey puck, a long wooden dowel marked in centimeters and some adhesive. Considering how much time and money has been spent trying to prevent repeated concussion, this is an excellent alternative to the expensive technology. Check out this D.I.Y. tool at well.blogs.nytimes.com
Preventing concussion-based brain injuries can prevent complications later in life. Athletes in contact sports, like football, are at risk for concussions and over the course of their playing lives could experience multiple concussions. With each concussion comes the increased risk and the potential cumulative issues associated with CTE or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. The list of NFL players living with the long-term effects of multiple concussions is growing and we wonder if the life changing effects of multiple injuries could have been avoided through better detection of concussive events and education of coaches to prevent players from returning to the game.
There are ways to prevent injuries from concussions. This inexpensive detection device could be a great tool in prevention.
