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Football isn’t rocket science, it’s brain science

tackle.jpgWhile American football commentators jokingly talked about contacting rocket scientists to assess the statistical wisdom of a disastrous play call by the New England Patriots last week, the National Football League is actually considering upping its use of brain scientists to combat head injuries. The NFL will reportedly have teams work with independent neurologists on concussion issues according to the Associated Press.

Although concussions are an annual hot topic during the football season, they’ve taken new urgency with recent research and a congressional investigation into the lasting effects of repeated head on collisions including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. One player contended that team doctors are worrying more about the win than the player’s safety and quality of life post-retirement. Still, an AP poll of 160 players recently revealed that many players purposely underreport the effects and severity of head collisions so that they can continue playing.

Last week the Wall Street Journal, proposed a simple solution, remove the helmets and players would be more careful about protecting their noggins. Just look at rugby where there are a few “freak accidents” but less tendency to “lead with your hat.”

The NFL responded that that’s not really something they’d consider. Americans don’t want to watch rugby, apparently.

Image: Tackle by Wigstruck via Flickr under creative commons.

Comments

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    Dr. Kristine Campbell said:

    A case of the law of unintended consequences. Helmets could actually encourage head injuries. What other safety features could act this way? Maybe we suspend our common sense and put too much faith in safety features like helmets.

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    Dean said:

    We’ve got a pretty good idea how the brain works nowadays and the advances in helmets have no doubt made it a much safer game, but let’s not get carried away and spoil the fun right?!?

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