Choose Sports that Don’t Cause Concussions

I was never a great athlete – probably to the dismay of my athletic father – and my daughters were never interested in any contact sports known to breed concussions.  Thank goodness. I don’t even like to watch sports like boxing, football or hockey because watching people get injured and crowds of people cheering on what I consider “unsportsmanlike” behavior bothers me.  Okay, I know I’m a minority in this arena but hear me out. 

 

Just recently, I’ve talked to several high school students who have been suffered the consequences of concussions in sports such as soccer, football, and rugby.  They have frequent headaches and often miss school when they have migraines. Many students notice that they can’t remember things or that it takes longer for them to learn concepts after being concussed. These are 15- and 16-year-old kids. When I heard about how their coaches pushed them and fellow teammates pressured them to keep playing, I was appalled. 

 

Helmet sensors are proven to be inconsistent in detecting concussions, which can be dangerous, even lethal, in protecting our kids. One of my students did a project on how soccer helmets give the false sense of security, therefore, these helmets actually put players at a greater risks because they believe that they’re protected while wearing them and play harder than they would without them.  

 

Check out this video about football concussions and helmet research. I know it’s not PC to say this but I wouldn’t recommend that any student play a contact sport that might cause a concussion.  With all of the many other inevitable obstacles a child may face, why put them at risk for brain injuries that will negatively affect them for the rest of their lives?  There are lots of healthy ways to play team sports (basketball, volleyball, cross country running) and get exercise (martial arts, weightlifting, dancing). 

 

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