How is the NFL Preventing Concussions?

How is the NFL Preventing Concussions? By following these best practices, the NFL is working to keep players safe on the field.

The Problem of Concussions in the NFL

As the National Football League (NFL) has grown in popularity over the past few decades, so too has the public’s awareness of the dangers of concussions. A concussion is a type of brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or a jolting motion. Concussions can range in severity from mild to severe, and can have short- and long-term effects on a person’s health.

In recent years, research has shown that concussions can lead to long-term problems, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease that can cause dementia, memory loss, and depression. A recent study found that out of 111 brains of former NFL players that were examined, 110 showed signs of CTE.

The problem of concussions in the NFL came to national attention in 2002, when former NFL player Mike Webster died at the age of 50. Webster had suffered from dementia and depression in his later years, and an autopsy revealed that he had suffered from CTE. Since then, hundreds of other former NFL players have been diagnosed with CTE posthumously. In 2017, former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was diagnosed with CTE at the age of 27, after committing suicide while serving a life sentence for murder.

In response to the growing public awareness of the dangers of concussions, the NFL has implemented several policies and programs aimed at preventing them. These include changes to the rules of the game, such as making it illegal to hit another player in the head; modifying equipment, such as making helmets safer; and increasing education and awareness about concussions among players and coaches.

Despite these efforts, concussions are still common in the NFL. In the 2017 season, there were 281 reported concussions – up from 244 in 2016. However, it is important to note that this increase may be due in part to improved detection and reporting of concussions, rather than an actual increase in their occurrence.

The problem of concussions in the NFL remains a serious concern for both players and fans alike. The league continues to take steps to try to prevent them, but it is clear that more needs to be done to protect the health and safety of those who play America’s favorite sport.

The NFL’s Concussion Protocol

In recent years, the NFL has made strides in preventing concussions. They have implemented a concussion protocol that must be followed by all players and teams. The protocol includes a mandatory baseline test for all players, as well as a return-to-play protocol. If a player is suspected of having a concussion, they are immediately taken out of the game and cannot return until they are cleared by an independent concussion expert.

Baseline Testing

All players must complete baseline cognitive and neurological testing within the preseason training camp. If a player sustains a concussion during the season, he must be removed from play and cannot return to the game or practice that day. He must then be evaluated by a medical professional trained in concussion management. If the player is cleared by the medical professional, he may return to play. If the player is not cleared, he must enter the concussion protocol.

The concussion protocol has five steps that a player must go through before he is cleared to return to play:

1. Rest and Recovery: The player must rest and avoid activity that could exacerbate his symptoms. He may still attend team meetings during this time.
2. Light aerobic exercise: The player may do light aerobic exercise, such as riding a stationary bike, walking, or light jogging.
3. Moderate aerobic exercise: The player may do moderate aerobic exercise, such as running on a treadmill at moderate speeds or participating in moderate-intensity interval training.
4. Heavy aerobic exercise: The player may do high-intensity aerobic exercise, such as sprinting or plyometrics.
5. Full contact practice: The player may participate in full contact practices and games.

In-Game Evaluation

After a suspected concussion, the player will be evaluated by the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) in the sideline medical tent. The player will be asked questions about their symptoms and what happened on the play. The player will also be evaluated for orientation (aware of game, date, etc.), balance, and motor function. If the player is cleared by the UNC, they are allowed to return to the game. If the player is not cleared, they will be taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

Post-Game Evaluation

After every game, every player must complete a brief medical evaluation on the sideline. If a player is suspected of having a concussion, they will be taken to the locker room for further examination by medical personnel.

If a concussion is diagnosed, the player is not allowed to return to the game or practice that day. They will be referred to the league-mandated concussion protocol, which must be completed before the player can be cleared to play again.

The concussion protocol includes several steps, starting with rest and gradually increasing activity as symptoms allow. Players must be symptom-free at each step before progressing to the next.

The NFL’s concussion protocol was created in 2011 in consultation with independent experts and has been updated several times since then. The most recent update came after the 2016 season, when independent neurologists were given more authority to make decisions about players’ return to play.

The NFL’s Rule Changes

In recent years, the NFL has been under fire for the number of concussions and other head injuries that occur during the course of a season. As a result, the league has made some rule changes in an effort to reduce the number of concussions.

Kickoffs

The biggest change the NFL made was to how kickoffs are handled. In the past, the team that kicked off would get a running start before kicking the ball downfield. The other team would then try to stop the player with the ball from getting past them and as a result, many plays resulted in large collision between players.

Now, each team will line up side-by-side at the yard line where the ball will be kicked off from. The kicking team will not be allowed to get a running start and the receiving team will not be able to move until the ball is kicked. This should result in fewer big collisions on kickoff returns.

Tackling

In an effort to make the game safer, the NFL has implemented new rules regarding tackling. These changes are aimed at reducing the number of concussions and other serious injuries that occur during NFL games.

One of the most significant changes is the banning of the so-called ” blindside block.” This is when a player hits another player from behind, often without them seeing it coming. This type of tackle can lead to serious injuries, including concussions.

Other changes include banning players from leading with their helmets when tackling, and making it mandatory for players to wear softer, more protective helmets. These changes are designed to make the game safer for all involved, and to reduce the number of concussions and other serious injuries that occur each year.

The NFL’s Equipment Changes

In order to combat the increasing incidence of concussions, the NFL has made several changes to the equipment players wear. One of the most noticeable changes is the switch to softer, more flexible helmets. Newer helmets are designed to better protect against concussions by absorbing more impact and dispersing it away from the player’s head. In addition to their helmets, players now also wear mouthguards that contain sensors that measure the force of hits to the head and can help identify players who have sustained a concussion.

The NFL has also made changes to the rules of the game in order to reduce the number of concussions sustained by players. One rule change that has been implemented is known as the “concussion protocol.” This protocol requires any player who is suspected of sustaining a concussion to be removed from the game and evaluated by a medical professional. If a concussion is diagnosed, the player is not allowed to return to the game or practice until they have been cleared by a medical professional.

The NFL has also invested millions of dollars in research on concussions and how to prevent them. They are currently funding several studies on new helmet designs and mouthguard materials that could further reduce the incidence of concussions in NFL players.

The Future of Concussions in the NFL

The NFL has been under a lot of scrutiny lately due to the dangers of concussions. In the past few years, there have been many retired NFL players that have come forward with stories of their own struggles with concussion-related injuries. As a result, the NFL has been working hard to try to reduce the number of concussions that occur during game play.

One way that the NFL is trying to prevent concussions is by changing the rules of the game. For example, in 2017 they outlawed hits to a player’s head and neck area. This rule was put in place in order to try to reduce the number of head-to-head collisions that occur during games.

The NFL is also working on improving their concussion protocols. They have recently implemented a new rule that states that if a player shows any signs of a concussion, they must be removed from the game and cannot return until they are cleared by an independent medical professional.

The NFL is also investing in research to try and better understand concussions and how to prevent them. They are currently funding several studies on concussion prevention and treatment.

It is clear that the NFL is taking concussions seriously and is working hard to try and prevent them. However, only time will tell if their efforts are truly effective.