Schaffner L

Jacob K. SchatTner

Professor Amy Keesling

Writing 121

26 October20l6

The Long Tem Effect of Repetitive Concussions

There are many activities that aperson can participate in that could result in a concussion.

With this being said, football is one of the leading causes of accumulative head injuries. In this

paper the main focus will be on the sport of football because it is one of the most common

pastimes in the world. Also, this paper will briefly explain why military personnel are

experiencing similar effects as football players. Head injuries are a very popular topic in sports

today because retired competitors are suffering from long term cognitive effects. Repetitive

concussions cause serious trauma to the brain, this is it is extremely important to treat them
"uhy
properly and allow the brain to fully heal before retuming to play. This paper will discuss how

the brain is affected by concussions, how they occur, how to prevent them, and the long term

diseases that can develop.

CoNcussroNs

A concussion occurs when the head is bumped hard enough to cause the brain to move inside the

skull. As Richard Smayda mentions, "such movement makes the brain bump into the interior of

the sku1l at the point of impact, as well as on the opposite side of the skull, resulting in

contusions (bruises) that damage the brain." For example, when a football player is involved in a

helmet to helmet collision the skull comes to an instant halt while the brain stays in motion and

hits the skull. There are many side effects that can be experienced after a concussion such as
 Schaffner 2

headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and confusion but these may take time to appear. Because the

symptoms do not appear right away, "the severity of concussions cannot be determined at the

time of the injury" [oledo). After a concussion has occurred, the brain is bruised and extremely.--

r.ulnerable. As described by Daniel Chamberlain, "A person who suffers a traumatic brain inj".y

is more likely to suffer additional concussions; a cumulative effect that can cause physiological

damage, permanent disability, and death" (27). Because of an athlete's dedication along with

poor diagnostic techniques, four out often head injuries are not reported in high school (Sprouse,

538). This topic has been ignored for too long and it is time for people to understand how many

lives are impacted and how serious concussions really are.

Proper Treatment. Minor brain injuries can happen in many different ways, such as falling and

hitting your head or being in a head on collision in football. The main problem with concussions

is that they are not treated properly and players retum to play before the brain fully recovers

from the first trauma; this is where the most damage can occur in an athlete ("stopping The

Invisible Injury", 58). Concussions happen inside of the head and are not visible like a broken

arm would be, this is why it is important to keep a close eye out for any symptoms that may

surface. Although the symptoms have gone away, it does not mean it is time to retum. According

to Dr. Lassonde, even when the symptoms of a concussion disappear, the brain still has not

recovered fNordqvist).'A large part of preventing concussions involves coaches, trainers, and

parents working together to educate players to speak up if something is wrong and get the proper

rest time bef,ore returning to competition. If a concussion is treated properly the effects are

minimal, but if not it can impact family, friends, and even performance in the classroom

(Halstead). The overall goal of concussion prevention and treatment is not to eliminate

concussions because that is impossible, but to make gveryone aware ofthem and their severity.
 Schaffner 3

The Helmer. The main response to injuries in sports were to require players wear protective

contact sports involve helmets' but

equipment, such as the helmet, to prevent head injuries. Many

followed the same

the helmet was fust introduced to football, meaning that all other sports

structure. The flrst plastic helmet was manufactured in the 1940's,

with only padding on the top

the head. For a long

of the head. Over time padding was added to the front, back, and sides of

period of time researchers were trying to figure out which type of inside cushioning would

protect the head against the blunt force of an impact the best. "Dr. Richard Schneider of the

University of Michigan Hospital believed that air was the most effective way to protect against

blunt force. With this theory in mind, he invented an inflatable bladder for use inside a football

helmet" (Susan Bard). The inflatable bladder was a huge success, because it was extremely

lightweight but was still effective. Along with Dr. Schneider's finding, he also unconsciously

made the fit more customizable. When a player put on a helmet someone could pump the

inflatable bladder with air until it was secure but comfortable. Overall the helmet has evolved

from a leather flap to a reinforced plastic helmet with scientific research put into it to make it

effective. Although the helmet has been improved so much since the 1970's, it is impossible to

fully prevent head injuries.

Studies. Although the helmet was preventing death from head injuries, Dave Duerson found

something else that could be just as bad as death in the long run. It a2012 article by Whet Moser

of Chicago Magazine, Jonah Lehrer reports:

But here's the bad news: These old regulations provide scant protection against

concussions. While a hard plastic helmet lined with cushioning can protect the skull from

fracturing, a concussion occurs on the inside of the head, when the brain quickly

decelerates and impacts bone. This means that helmet designers face an inevitable
 Schaffner 4

physical impacts and this is best

tradeoff: If the head isn,t shielded from the strongest -
then it can break and bleed' But the very act of
done with soft, pliable materials
-
the head will bounce around
protecting players from those severe collisions means that

its bony cage. The worst

the cushioned helmet, thus allowing the brain to move within

impact will be internal.

hundreds of
With this being said, helmets have still done their job. Although aplayer sustains
goal of preventing
collisions each season that results in long term brain injuries, the ultimate
prevent
deaths from hits to the head was achieved. As stated by Jonah, the next goal is clear, to

the brain from bouncing around inside the skull when the head comes to an instant halt.

Additionally, noted by the Chicago Magazine,research done by Eric Nauman at Purdue says that

"The most important imptication of the new findings is the suggestion that a concussion is not

just the result of a single blow, but it's really the totality of blows that took place over the

season." Players have to understand that this is the consequence of making a career out of

contact sports, whether it be in college or professionally. Overall the helmet today can prevent

skull injuries very well, but not long term effects from frequent impacts on the brain.

LoNcTSRMDtsBase

Studies. Many players over the past few years have donated their brains to be studied by

professionals to help understand why these diseases are developing in athletes, specifically in

contact sports. Many ofthe findings have all had the same outcome; accumulative brain injuries

lead to long term cognitive effects. Dr. Omalu, a neurologist from Nigeria, came to examine the

brains of muitiple retired players who had suffered from cognitive effects before death. Mike

Webster, a former Pittsburg Steelers offensive lineman known as "Iron Mike", was one of these

test subjects. Webster was involved in a head to head collision almost every play throughout his
 Schaffner 5

when his
and depression shortry
after retirement (steiger)'
from amnesia
career and he suffered
from all
to be an extremeiy worn out and diseased brain
brain was first examined it
was expected
found that there
but it appeared to be very healthy' omalu later
years,
of the physicality over the
mean Alzheimer's or Dementia'
proteins on Some of the test slides' this would usually
were extra
Traumatic
different disease (steiger). This new disease was named chronic
but it was a
this discovery many
later on in this paper' shortly after
Encephalopathy, which will be discussed

deceased players were also diagnosed

with this same disease'

players, but also military personnel'

Studies have not only been done on former footbalt

have suffered from "Post Traumatic Stress

Many of the soldiers who have fo,rght for our country
a life tlueatening event"
Disorder, a psychological condition that can develop from experiencing

(irlational Center for PTSD). Along with PTSD, many veterans are aiso developing Alzheimer's

disease. Thanks to the growing evidence in sports, Walter Koroshetz, a Deputy Director of
the

U.S. National Institute ofNeurological Disorders, says "it has been known for a long time that

repetitive head injuries lead to chronic degenerative diseases" (Weinberger). These men are

experiencing the same brain trauma as professional football players, but not necessarily from

bone-crushing hits. Many front line soldiers are very close to explosions throughout their service,

and these explosions rattle throughout their bodies, as well as their brain. Kevin Kit Parker, a

Biomedical Engineer atHaward University, "found that blast damage sets off a cellular chain

reaction that disrupts signaling, impairing, and connections between neurons in the brain"

(Weinberger). These disruptions between neurons in the brain are what cause diseases such as

Alzheimer's and Dementia. These findings have been reported to the government in hopes to

putting more effort towards preventing these diseases from developing.

 Schaffner 6

about the
players have been voicing their opinion
NFL Lowsuifs. Over the past few years'

2,000 former players have sued the NFL' seeking

dangers of football, "Now more than
brain
impairment caused by repetitive traumatic
compensation for cognitive and neurological

it is necessary because these men have

injuries,, 6lalsam). Although this might seem extreme,

been used for many years. In July, 2011 seventy-five

retired players sued the National Football

(Weinbrecht)' The reason

League along with the league's leading helmet distributer Riddell

were linked to brain

these players were upset is because the NFL hid results that concussions

problems later in life rather than letting the players know. If the league would have notified

players many of them would have stopped playing, possibly resulting in the end of the National

Football League. Also, the NFL's protocol returned players too soon and promoted'oan

aggressive style of play", oflly because it would attraptviewers, not because it was safe for the

players. Later in August of 2011, sever more retirees sued the NFL for teaching players to hit

with their heads, leading to many more head injuries (Weinbrecht). The players are starting to

realize it is going to impact the rest of their lives and have serious consequences if they conlinue

to play, and the NFL has been hiding it because they know it will jeopardize the sport if they do

not.

CsRoNrc Tnaumartc EN CEpHALopATHy

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a degenerative brain disease found in people who

have had accumulative concussions. In other words, this disease causes the brain to age much

quicker than the body, thus developing effects at an earlier age. "The condition occurs when the

brain tissue begins to degenerate and a protein called tau starts to build up in the brain", the

Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy reported (Chan)- The first appearance of this

tlpe of developing disease was first found in boxers, and it was called "punch drunk", but the
 Schaffner 7

does not affect the brain instantly,

"it takes
the disease. crE
research was not applied to confirm
in mood'
have occurred and consists of impairments
years to develop after the concussions
attracting a lot of
depression, behavior, cognition, and
motor functions" (Thor)' This disease is
cases
and there have been multiple suicide
attention because it is leading to major depression

Thomas' All three of these players were

including Junior Seau, Dave Duerson, and Owen

diagnosed with CTE after their deaths'

one of the biggest hitters in

Junior Seau was one of the NFL's best linebackers as well as

years after retirement' The

history. He played 20 years in the league and committed suicide 2

entire football eommunity along with his family were stunned by his death.
His mother explained

players because
that she wanted to make it known that he suffered from CTE, and to help these

nobody wants to see this happen (Avila). Junior Seau is one of the many players that suffered

from CTE, and did harm only to himself; others have also harmed their family and friends

because of their lack of mind control, this disease not only etTects the athletes, but the people that

surround them as well. The league is now aware of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy allowing

them to put more time and effort into stopping this disease, or at least lowering the number of

athletes affected.

Alzheimer's Disease. Another disease that can develop over time from traumatic brain injuries is

Alzheimer's Disease, and it is the most common form of memory loss. This disease attacks the

memory and progressively destroys the mind, much like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

(Kidd). Alzheimer's is one of the worst diseases for a person to encounter, along with the worst

disease for a family to understand. The symptoms begin with loss of short term memory

progressing to loss of long term memories. Once the symptoms become more seYere the person

will forget how to do everyday tasks and actions. Eventually the person affected will forget
 Schaffner 8

in it' This disease is caused by old age but

everything about their life as well as everyone

strongly influenced by repeated head injuries'

Auguste D. was the first patient diagnosed with

Alzheimer's in 1901 (Kidd)' Before

unknown symptoms such as failing

being diagnosed with this new disease, she was showing

Aloyious Alzheimer was the

memory, confusion, and not being able to express her thouglrts.
she said that
neuropathologist who observed Auguste as the disease developed and eventually

she had..lost herself'. After four years of mental decline, she passed away and Aloyious

performed an autopsy. The brain was extremely small and shrunken compared to ahealthy brain,

meaning that this was in factadegenerative disease. Many people will suffer from this disease

and there is no cure; the best way to ffert anAlzheimer's patient is to provide them with the care

and comfort that they need.

All in all, concussions can happen in many different ways and are not expected to be

eliminated. Many different steps have been taken to try and prevent head injuries, such as the

invention of the footbdl helmet. The goal in treating concussions is to give the brain the proper

time to heal before retuming to activities that could cause another iojrrry; this is the only way to

prevent long term injuries such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Alzheimer's from

developing. Any person who has a history of accumulative concussions is at high risk for

developing a cognitive disease that will affect their life, as well as those around them.
 Schaffner 9

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