Changing opinions on concussions in sports

This content was originally authored by Katie Taylor in the 10/17/19 Concussion Alliance Update Newsletter

An article in The Washington Post by James Ludden and Eben Novy-Williams discusses the impacts of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in sports. CTE is a degenerative brain condition found in autopsies of brains with repeated head trauma. This head trauma is not restricted to concussions. It can take the form of events not commonly seen as dangerous, such as minor head blows or collisions between players that cause the head to decelerate rapidly. Victims of CTE are more prone to depression, compulsive behavior, and suicidal tendencies.

The authors point out some inconsistencies in the public's reaction to CTE risk. Awareness of these newly-discussed dangers is causing youth participation in contact sports to decline, but the viewership of professional sports remains unchanged. A particularly forceful blow in a football game warrants cheers from the crowd, and as long as fans are entertained by these large hits, companies will remain largely unmotivated to change the structure of the game for the health of the players. However, big-name players have started taking measures to emphasize the dangers of repeated head trauma.