The Importance of Preventing Concussions in Sports

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The Importance of Preventing Concussions in Sports
There is an increasing concern about the number of concussions reported in the sporting world. This is partly because the brain is the central control system of human behavior and experiences, and ought to be guarded by all possible means (Harmon et al. 16).
Concussions in sports can be caused by physical head injuries or rapid shaking of the head. In the United States, most cases of concussions are reported in football than in any other game. Also, a study shows that the cases are more prevalent among teenagers than in their older counterparts who engage in various sports (Harmon et al. 16)
The impact caused by concussions on the brain cannot be overemphasized. Although this impact depends on the nature of the injury – whether mild or severe – the trauma on the brain can alter its normal functioning in the long-run. For instance, any injury to the cerebral hemispheres can affect the cognitive behavior of the victim (Beck and Tapia 6). Most sports people who survived severe injuries in this part of the brain have complained of memory lapses and reduced comprehension ability (Harmon et al. 18). Scientists have discovered that this long-term effect is caused by a disruption of the way in which neurons are wired in the brain. Since the motor system in a normal human being is composed of about 10 billion neurons that play different roles, they can take a long time to repair in case of a severe injury (Furtak 5).

Sometimes traumatic brain injuries can be fatal if the stem of the brain that is responsible for supporting life is completely badly injured (Beck and Tapia 3). However, such unfortunate occurrences can be reversed by adopting sportsmanship and taking personal precaution during the game (Harmon et al. 23). Nonetheless, when concussions do occur, prompt treatment should be provided to prevent the victims from post-traumatic symptoms, and, even worse, loss of lives.

Works cited
Beck, Diane, and Tapia, Evelina. The Brain. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois.
Furtak, Sharon. “Neurons.” California State University, Sacramento.
Harmon, Kimberly G., et al. “American Medical Society for Sports Medicine position statement: concussion in sport.” Br J Sports Med vol.47, no.1, 2013, pp. 15-26.