Concussions in Sports
The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn more about research in the field and to examine the relationship between the physiology of movement and the symptoms of neurological diseases and complex motor behavior. You will conduct a case study based on the Required Unit Resources for this unit. You can access the reading by clicking the link below. McCrory, P., Meeuwisse, W., Aubry, M., Cantu, B., Dvorák, J., Echemendia, R., Engebretsen, L., Johnston, K., Kutcher, J., Raftery, M., Sills, A., Benson, B., Davis, G., Ellenbogen, R., Guskiewicz, K., Herring, S. A., Iverson, G., Jordan, B., Kissick, J., . . . Turner, M. (2013, May). Consensus statement on concussion in sport – The 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2012. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16(3), 178–189. https://search-proquest-com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/docview/1364827150?accountid=33337 After reading the aforementioned resource, address the areas below in your essay. Evaluate the relationship between the physiology of movement and symptoms of neurological diseases such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). In the world of football, especially in the United States, this topic is highly debatable. What is your position? Do you believe that the impact of the sport may cause a neurological disease such as this? Support your answer with your required reading or other academic sources. Analyze the functions of the skeletal muscles, spinal cord, and brain when moving the body in a sport such as football. How important are the skeletal muscles, spinal cord, and brain when participating in a sport? What could the sports industry do to better protect the players’ bodies and their functions while playing a sport such as football? How might complex motor behavior where the brain plans, initiates, imitates, and comprehends movement be impacted by a potential brain injury such as CTE? Is such an injury preventable or inevitable while playing such an impactful sport such as football?
In their study, “The Physiology of Movement and Neurological Diseases: A Focus on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy\”, Al-Haddad et al. (2013) explore the relationship between neurological diseases such as CTE and movement physiology. According to the authors, CTE is caused by repetitive head trauma which results in progressive deterioration of brain tissue leading to physical, emotional and cognitive impairment (Al-Haddad et al 2013). This condition has been linked to football players due to the high impact nature of this sport though other contact sports can also increase one’s risk for developing it.
Research has suggested that repetitive head impacts cause a cascade of biological changes within the brain from neuronal death to axon damage all leading towards eventual development of CTE (Al-Haddad et al 2013). These findings have raised concerns regarding potential long term effects associated with contact sports making the topic a highly debatable one especially in light of recent events .
As a result, it becomes apparent that greater research into this area is needed so that individuals participating in these activities can be better informed when deciding whether or not they wish to continue with them. In addition, introducing protocols which provide additional protection while reducing overall exposure may prove beneficial since this could help minimize chances for developing such conditions over time.
Overall, it is clear that there exists a strong correlation between movement physiology and neurological diseases like CTE. While more research needs to be conducted into this area, these initial findings suggest that measures should be taken to reduce potential risks associated with contact sports, enabling athletes make sound decisions about their health.