Brain injuries again.

[Unregistered]

Agree with this post. Most coaches and administrators are afraid to speak to change.
The push for chage needs to come from the outside (parents, doctors). the athletes are at risk and the coaches are afraid to "change the game". The brain is more important than the game.

I dont agree. Don't fundamentally change the game. Choose not to play if you wish but changing the mos t popular sport in the world based on what? There is no real data to make this decision.

Collisions with other players, with goals and with the ground have caused the majority of concussions that I have seen. A very small minority are caused by head/ball contact. The question is whether repeated heading causes brain injury.

[Unregistered]

While we're sharing horror stories....a good friend's daughter had a few in MS and HS then junior year sustained a very serious one and was never the same. Grades also nosedived, she barely got through HS with academic support. Struggled in college and dropped out. Is taking 1-2 classes locally because that's all she can handle at once. My daughter, having witnessed this poor girls' progression (and had one minor concussion herself), said if she got another one she's out. You've only got one brain and it doesn't heal the way a broken bone does. Sometimes it is fully restored but that restoration is unpredictible and frustrating. Often it's forever altered

The concussion protocols are improving. I have had some experience with this one of our kids and we took it seriously. After a different child suffered a concussion, I was shocked at the lack of knowledge in the ER. The discharge instructions were completely wrong.

Seek a facility that specializes in this. Most large hospitals now have specialists. Return to activity, return to play and return to normal is a long process. Returning too soon can have devastating consequences.

[Unregistered]

An autopsy of a former Brazilian soccer star has found that the man suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain condition found in more than 40 deceased NFL veterans.

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/thro...-modern-soccer

No concussions in soccer, sorry. The occasional head to head but very rare. Boxing, American football, hockey, MMA UFC etc etc.... No need to wear that ridiculous looking headgear. Just another money maker.

[Unregistered]

No concussions in soccer, sorry. The occasional head to head but very rare. Boxing, American football, hockey, MMA UFC etc etc.... No need to wear that ridiculous looking headgear. Just another money maker.

One alleged "autopsy" does not prove anything. The all time greats who have played a long career are just fine. Roberto Baggio, Pele, Falcao, del Piero, Vieri. Enough with the nonsense. Focus on your barbaric American sports.

[Unregistered]

What head gear are you referring to and in which sport

[Unregistered]

One alleged "autopsy" does not prove anything. The all time greats who have played a long career are just fine. Roberto Baggio, Pele, Falcao, del Piero, Vieri. Enough with the nonsense. Focus on your barbaric American sports.

How do you know they are fine? Do you know them personally and/or are you a physician able to assess them? Often the impact isn't known for years, decades. NFL players struggle with it and often don't reveal it to the public so why would aging soccer players be any different? Sorry but the evidence out there about the effects of multiple concussions (not matter the source - head to head or headers) is very compelling.

[Unregistered]

What head gear are you referring to and in which sport

Assume to OP is referring to those headbands they have for soccer. Their ability to prevent concussions is inconclusive at best. 60 Minutes did a story awhile back and players said it made them more like to head the ball because they felt the bands protected them more.

[Unregistered]

evidence is inconclusive regarding head gear protecting players from concussions and whether repeated heading causes concussions. in depth studies need to be done and we need to teach kids how to head properly. Don't change the game.

[Unregistered]

How do you know they are fine? Do you know them personally and/or are you a physician able to assess them? Often the impact isn't known for years, decades. NFL players struggle with it and often don't reveal it to the public so why would aging soccer players be any different? Sorry but the evidence out there about the effects of multiple concussions (not matter the source - head to head or headers) is very compelling.

Maybe the NFL players are suffering from long lasting effects of PED's and not concussions?
But you can't sue your former employer for your own stupid decisions can you?

[Unregistered]

How do you know they are fine? Do you know them personally and/or are you a physician able to assess them? Often the impact isn't known for years, decades. NFL players struggle with it and often don't reveal it to the public so why would aging soccer players be any different? Sorry but the evidence out there about the effects of multiple concussions (not matter the source - head to head or headers) is very compelling.

Eusebio played for over 20 years in the sport and held dignitary positions after retirement. So did Pele. They were not suffering from brain injury, in fact very sharp men intellectually. There are countless others, Michel Platini as well. Concussions are a non issue in soccer!!!!

[Unregistered]

Maybe the NFL players are suffering from long lasting effects of PED's and not concussions?
But you can't sue your former employer for your own stupid decisions can you?

Agreed, why aren't a multitude of former professional boxers banding together and suing as well? I'll tell you why, boxers don't take steroids.

[Unregistered]

Eusebio played for over 20 years in the sport and held dignitary positions after retirement. So did Pele. They were not suffering from brain injury, in fact very sharp men intellectually. There are countless others, Michel Platini as well. Concussions are a non issue in soccer!!!!

I guess that's why they account for ONLY 25% of HS related injuries among male players and over 30% for females. Yeah, a real non-issue.

http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/co...ts/2012-13.pdf

[Unregistered]

I disagree with the comment that concussions are a nonissue in soccer but the question is- does heading the ball repeatedly cause concussions and chronic brain injury. I think the jury is still out on the latter.

[Unregistered]

I disagree with the comment that concussions are a nonissue in soccer but the question is- does heading the ball repeatedly cause concussions and chronic brain injury. I think the jury is still out on the latter.

That part will be difficult to prove - can't use test kids as guinea pigs in a controlled scientific study. In the absence of data steps can be taken to minimize the risks without dramatically changing the game. Ideas I've heard tossed around that I like are 1) no heading the ball until U14, partly because neck muscles are not developed enough until about that age 2) PROPER training on heading the ball. Not enough good clubs do this, let alone travel, etc. 3) more training kids how to take two steps back to let the ball hit the chest and let the ball fall to their feet. I'm sure there are others.

How that other poster thinks concussions aren't an issue is mind boggling. Talk to any parent whose kid has been playing for awhile and chances are they've had one or at least 6 teammates who have. No it's not the same as football, but it happens often enough (and seriously enough) that more should be done.

[Unregistered]

Eusebio played for over 20 years in the sport and held dignitary positions after retirement. So did Pele. They were not suffering from brain injury, in fact very sharp men intellectually. There are countless others, Michel Platini as well. Concussions are a non issue in soccer!!!!

I can not believe there are posters who are this stupid in this day and age. Concussions are absolutely an issue in soccer. You may be lucky so far not to have experienced it in your family but I can assure OI that you will feel differently if you or your loved ones get one. They are absolutely devastating.