Essay On Concussions In Sports

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Intro
Sport related Concussion has become a growing concern in Australia and across the globe in recent years with potential negative health ramifications for athletes in the short and long term. Sports organisations in Australia and around the world have similar and contrasting policies which are implemented to best suit the respective athletes health and wellbeing.
So what is Concussion?
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head which causes the brain to move rapidly around the skull and can lead to chemical changes and damaged brain cells. Concussion can occur in a variety of ways, where some incidences may be more noticeable than others. In serious cases, concussions result in a loss of consciousness after …show more content…

Concussions can be quite common in contact sports such as Rugby, Football and boxing in both professional and part-time recreational settings. This has led increased focus from sporting bodies around the importance of diagnosing and managing the condition safely and appropriately. Parents, coaches, athletes, medical practitioners and others involved in sport are seeking information regarding the best management of sport-related concussion. Participant safety and welfare is paramount when dealing with all concussion incidents. The following will discuss the current concussion protocols in Australian Sport organisation and how it matches with other concussion policies across the world.
NRL
Rugby League and the NRL is one of the major sports where concussion and serious head injuries are common. The physical and tough nature of the sport has led to serious injuries over the past few years. The most notable being Alex McKinnon, a player for the Newcastle knights who was paralysed after suffering two broken …show more content…

Each sport has its own specific requirements in terms of how they deal with concussion and can vary depending on different countries and settings. Rugby League and NFL while two completely different sports, share almost the same practices in terms of dealing with head injuries. The NFL however leads the line in terms of its enforcement of policies and procedures in which the NRL can implement into its own game; for example, team fines for infringement. Likewise, for the A-league, the FFA needs to either impose its rules with greater emphasis or alter the rules so that it is clear and consistent. The UFC has positioned itself tremendously for a sport of its nature, with the utmost care being taken for athlete’s wellbeing while still keeping the entertainment and success factor at high levels. Athletes are fully aware of the concussion protocols and the implications that follow which allow the UFC to be a leader in these practices. Overall the concussion protocols in Australia are greatly beneficial to athlete’s health and recovery, however need to be informed with greater emphasis and austerity in order to reach the best practice

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