Concussions In Volleyball Essay

The sport of volleyball, formerly known as "mintonette," was created in 1895 by William G. Morgan after the invention of basketball just four years prior. Volleyball began in America, and has recently attained the kind of recognition in the United States that it has gathered on a global basis, where it falls slightly behind soccer among athletic games. Currently there are over 46 million Americans who play this female-dominated sport. However, similar to other major sports, playing volleyball could possibly result in negative outcomes. The NCAA: “Women’s Volleyball Injuries” fact sheet reports that, “Ligament sprains and muscle strains are the most common types of injury in NCAA women’s volleyball.”(Volleyball, Injuries In.) Nevertheless, the possibility of receiving a concussion is possible. Roughly 41% of players will experience the ill effects of a concussion (“Volleyball, Injuries In.”). To reduce the high percentage of concussions in women’s volleyball, athletes must learn proper techniques and athletic trainers

must be within reach at all times.
In order to play volleyball you must have two teams of six players on a court partitioned by a net.

The goal of this sport is to send the ball over the net so the rival team you are up against are incapable of returning the ball or blocking it from touching the ground in their court (“Volleyball - Mr Haering.”). Both teams have three chances of returning the ball. The object of this game seems pretty simple, enough. Yet, it requires a lot of physical contact, skills, and moves amongst the players. Players must be skilled at digging, diving, and swerving. Digging happens when a player makes a save from a very difficult spike. Diving, on the other hand, occurs when a player dives for a ball on defense. If these moves are not orchestrated properly, concussions have the potential to arise. In the medical-sport journal article entitled “Concussions Among 20 High School Sports”, studies were conducted to find patterns of concussion injuries. In

volleyball,
Concussions were 2 times more likely to occur during competition than practice... Activities commonly associated with concussion were digging (41.9%), passing (16.1%), and general play (16.1%). Mechanisms associated with concussion were player–playing surface contact (51.6%), player-player contact (25.8%), and player-equipment contact (22.6%)... More specifically, concussions most commonly occurred during diving for the ball (38.7%), player-teammate contact (25.8%), and player-ball contact (25.8%). Over half (51.6%) of concussions were sustained by the outside hitter and setter positions...” (Marar et la.749).
To avoid concussions from failed moves or rough contact, it is important to perform the techniques correctly; any false move could result in players injuring their head, hips or whatever body part they land on.
Despite the fact that there isn't much a player can do to keep the ball from hitting her in the back of the head from a serve, she should always play with her hands ready to protect her face. She can also wear a soft helmet that can prevent a concussion. Prevention is not always guaranteed, but it will minimize the severity of a concussion. Robin Rostratter, who is a renowned NCAA volleyball player, is known for wearing a soft helmet while playing. She started wearing a helmet after she received a concussion, but continued to wear it after she was cleared to play without it (Fink). She has been quoted saying, “It [the soft helmet] allows me to play aggressive and not worry about hitting my head again. If I dive or collide with someone else, it gives that extra cushion that will help protect my head. It doesn’t affect the way I play other than mentally I know hitting my head is something I don’t have to worry about. (Fink)”
Athletic trainers are a necessity for a large number of athletic games or recreational activities. These on hand, health-care personnels are particularly trained to help analyze, treat and prevent sports wounds in different settings (Pujalte). They are qualified to administer aid while obeying a certain code of ethics, which makes for great holistic care. The appearance of an athletic trainer for volleyball games could, at least in the incident of receiving a concussion, help make such circumstances unlikely to occur in the general sense. Rather outside or on the court of a sports arena, athletic trainers can offer solace to competitors and their friends and family.
Taking everything into account, there are quite a few things that should be done to protect volleyball players from the perils of concussions. Volleyball is an extraordinary group activity and you can begin once you know the basics. Proper digging, diving, and moves to avoid hits to the head could diminish any players odds of receiving a concussion. The proper management of concussions and return-to-play from concussions may be better implemented with the help of athletic trainers (Pujalte). As I learned from the article, “Six things parents and athletes need to know about concussions” it is equally important for athletes to be educated on concussions. Julia Saunders is a 6-foot-3 ex-volleyball player. Despite the fact that she adores volleyball, she understood that her well being was more important. Saunders previous coach, Kelly Sheffield of the University of Wisconsin, said “Her [Saunders] mind says one thing and her body says something else. So she decided to listen to her body… This was her decision.” With most sports there is a chance of receiving a concussion. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of whatever sport one decides to go after.