Concussion and head injury has become an epidemic in several sports, with high-profile incidents in the English Premier League and NFL throwing the topic starkly into the public eye. If remarkably well-conditioned and supremely fit professional athletes suffer badly from concussion, just think of what effect it has on children who are playing contact sports purely for recreation.

There are many sports where physical contact comes as part of the territory, such as rugby, football and boxing, but this doesn’t mean that we should accept concussion or head injury as ‘part of the game’. Winning does matter when you’re playing competitively, but nothing is more important than the welfare of people partaking in sports, so there is no excuse for taking chances with concussion. If you feel light-headed, or you suspect someone could have been concussed, get them treated immediately. This isn’t a scenario where they can ‘soldier on’ regardless.

Anyone involved in contact sports, whether as a player, coach or medic, should take it upon themselves to learn how to practise the sport safely and what can be done to minimise the risk of concussion. That could mean wearing the correct protective headgear or practising safe and proper tackling technique. These won’t eliminate concussion for certain, but they will make it far less likely to occur.

To find out more about preventing concussion and head injury in sport, check out the infographic below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bracken Foam Fabricators is an Irish manufacturer of quality foam products. The Cork-based company produces a wide range of foam implements for a variety of purposes, including sporting and athletic pursuits, and is committed to prioritizing the safety of those who use its products.