How Dangerous Are Contact Sports?
What started out as a typical night of Monday Night Football drastically changed in the first quarter when Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin took a direct hit to the chest. Hamlin’s heart went into ventricular fibrillation due to an extremely rare event known as commotio cordis, caused by blunt force trauma directly to the chest at a very specific moment in the cardiac cycle. Thanks to the Bills athletic training staff, Hamlin received the immediate CPR that was needed to restore his heartbeat, and subsequently, save his life.
Common Sport Injuries
Football is just one contact sport played in the US, but the truth of the matter is that blunt force trauma to the chest like this does not solely come from the impact of a tackle from another human being, but more common is trauma from a ball in sports like lacrosse, baseball, softball, and tennis. This devastating event has caused many fans to question how safe sports really are.
It is common knowledge that sports are beneficial for us, whether it be improving our physical health or our mental health, it has proven to enhance humans’ quality of life. However, sports are also dangerous, and the public should be educated on these dangers with hopes of preventing and/or knowing how to treat them.
Among the most common types of injuries are broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons, and chronic overuse injuries. While common, there are plenty of ways for athletes to decrease their risk, including participating in injury prevention strength protocols, eating well, and maintaining proper joint mobility. While not common in all sports, another injury that is common in contact sports are concussions. Research has shown that consistent impact to the head has led to sustained brain damage and athletes are dealing with the consequences later in life. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a condition that occurs as a result of repeated trauma to the head and can lead to symptoms including chronic headaches, anger management problems, and memory loss.
Be Aware of Signs
Players, coaches, fans, and parents need to be aware of the symptoms of concussions and make sure that athletes receive the proper care that they need. Some symptoms include, but are not limited to, headache, loss of consciousness, memory loss, dizziness, ringing in the ears, vomiting, and slurred speech. For a full list of symptoms outlined by the CDC, please visit: Concussion Signs and Symptoms | HEADS UP | CDC Injury Center
Here at H Robotics, we strive to contribute to a healthy and happy lifestyle for all. As a result, we encourage all athletes to receive the proper preventative care they need in order to decrease their risk of sustaining one of these injuries.
If you or a loved one are struggling with physical, mental, or emotional challenges, rehabilitation can provide a path towards recovery and improved quality of life. In this blog, we will explore various aspects of rehabilitation, including its benefits, different modalities, and how to find the right program for your needs.
