• April 26, 2024

For NFL players, there is nothing more exciting and exciting than reaching a Super Bowl. However, this unique experience can turn into a nightmare when you run the risk of developing dementia, parkinson's or any other neurodegenerative disease.

NFL doctors they claim that there is a 25% decrease in concussions in players, compared to the regular season in 2013.

Dangerous contact!

1. Concussions

This traumatic brain injury is generated by the blows or shakes received in the head and causes changes in the functioning of the brain. You have to play more than two matches in a row to be presented.

Usually they are recorded with the blows of helmet with helmet or shoulder with helmet. At present, NFL authorities they do not allow players who have concussion signals to return to the field until they are 100% recovered.

2. Head, knee and ankle injuries

A study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine He details that NFL players record this type of injury more frequently when playing on artificial turf.

21 of the 32 teams in the NFL have this type of court in their stadiums or in the places where they train. Therefore, damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common.

3. Alzheimer's or dementia

Harvard doctors they claim that football players, especially those who play in the position of runner, are four times more likely to develop Alzheimer's or dementia.

4. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

A study published in the American Academy of Neurology He details that this brain disease associated with concussions affects the mood of the players, as well as their memory and ability to think.

5. Amyotrophic Laterial Sclerosis (ALS)

NFL players are three times more likely to suffer neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, than the general population, a study published in the magazine Neurology .

6. Lou Gehrig

Specialists of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health detail that it is common for retired players to have muscle weakness, as well as difficulty moving, talking, eating and breathing, the main characteristics of this disease.

7. Parkinson

An investigation of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health explains that Parkinson's occurs in former American players with tremor and body shaking; Damage to speaking, walking or moving the hands.

Against this background, the NFL has been responsible for creating measures to reduce the blows to the head, such as decreasing training time and the use of safe equipment.

Several specialists say that players, coaches and doctors must know perfectly the negative consequences of blows to the head in the long term.

Video Medicine: How Dangerous Are Contact Lenses? (& when to wear them anyway) (April 2024).