Free Essay about the Impact of Concussion in Soccer

A concussion is a condition caused by a jolt to the head due to a force to the body creating a rapid movement of the head and the brain in back and forth motion inside the skull. It is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The brain is mainly injured on its way of functioning. Origin of this noun is Latin word known as concusses meaning to shake violently. A concussion can be classified into three grades depending on various factors; headache, loss of consciousness, loss of balance, loss of memory and confusion.

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Soccer is a sport regarded to be one of the most famous game. It is played by two teams each of eleven players, on a large grass field with a goal at each end.

Players in selected sports; soccer, football and ice hockey are highly exposed to such dangers of being attacked by a concussion. As per statistics, women soccer possesses the highest rate of concussions than men's soccer. Most likelihood instances for impact in soccer is during competent headers and set plays; corner kicks where most players are in close contact. Besides, this condition can also occur even without direct impact to head succumbing to hard hits to the body has also a significant percentage on the contribution of concussion by causing the head and the neck to move within a flash of time suddenly.

Consider a player who is moving forward as a unit, and suddenly a hard blow to the body occurs, the skull is suddenly stopped due to attachment with the body but the brain enclosed in the head remains moving in the same direction until it experiences an impact from the skull.

Impacts of concussion

Concussion as introduced earlier it largely contributed to health issues on an individual since there are symptoms that imply one is suffering from it. These symptoms might be persistent causing a severe and permanent problem. Issues like loss of balance and memory with severe headaches might result in brain tumor (growth of tissues in the brain) thus affecting the normal functioning of the brain and other parts in the body.

There also emerges long-term damage in aged athletes where this effect is significantly noted and becomes more persistent. These effects can be memory problems among others mentioned. The brain experiences a form of "thinning" which corresponds to shrinking of both memory and attention these brains of retired players of football.

Suicidal acts that might be accelerated by these effects after experiencing depression, loss of memory can also be side effects due to this condition. These are according to the study that examined these brains of retired soccer and football players. Unlike in the study of the athletes who are said to be at lower risks of suffering from such effects since there are no such impulsive cases during game sessions (lower risks).

Young athletes are also at high risks of having abnormal brainwaves and also can experience deterioration of nerves that are responsible for motor control functioning. The damages are immediately after the injury, but the side-effects can prolong the effect for even decades.

Regarding the study of retired football players in America, findings were that they were at high risk with suffering from mild cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases this was based on how macrostructural, microstructural functional and neurochemical changes found in some athletes.

These players who might have succumbed to such serious injuries might also be highly exposed to psychological and emotional distress; suffer from loneliness and have feelings of isolation since they might be in the state of denial of themselves. Research added also found out that these players who are no longer playing due to injuries they lose contacts of their colleagues, coach and even their friends.

The impacts of concussions can be controlled if the victims are identified earlier enough and only if they are in a position to speak out. Some of these measures are discussed below.

Guidance and counseling

Victims suffering from such state of denial, distress, and isolation need to be undergoing sessions so that they can get to accept their condition and lead happy lives even with their families and friends. Psychological stress can develop to things like depression which might result in suicidal acts.

Putting on right protective equipment

There is a need for protection even when playing these sports. Helmets can be put on to prevent or minimize the impact after hit. These can reduce the number of victims thus retiring while still in a position that one can manage owns issues unlike when the victims happen to have these prolonged effects they lead lives of helplessness and losses to hope in life.

Medical cover

These players need to be insured by the clubs they were representing or their nations at large since they sacrificed their lives and participated in competitions when they were healthy and healthy. It's also important to include their families since their breadwinners seem to be worn out when retiring. It might also contribute much on how to relate with the mentees who need to be mentored by them hence portraying a positive impact.

Creating a safe sports culture

There is a need for young players to participate in sports in cultures that celebrate and recognize their effort, dedication and teamwork in programs seeking a safe environment most important when dealing with a concussion.

Proper training for the sports

An emphasis of discipline sports on training sessions for the individuals should be taken into consideration to minimize the injuries that arise during these sports. There should be penalties or disqualifications to those who misbehave during these sports competition. There should also be rules enforcement of these sports for fair and safe play. The players should avoid striking one another in the head among many others.

This concussion is primarily portrayed in women's soccer sports there is a need to empower young mothers by all means as we are all aware that women are strongholds of families. When they succumb to these injuries, they need not only medical attention but also moral and emotional support.