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Yes, this is another concussion article. It may seem like I am a week too late on this since Jay Cutler, Alex Smith and Michael Vick were not injured yesterday, but a Sunday ago. Well, it was not until this morning until I read Peter King's article that I saw some interesting things and I will not stop banging this drum until a resolution is made. I will try to provide information after I read it and when I find it interesting.
In another recent thread, I mentioned the ImPACT concussion test that is used by NFL, college and high school teams is a nice tool that may not even be right the tool for the job in the diagnosing of and recovery from concussions and concussion symptoms. I mentioned the best marketers of the ImPACT test are the creators themselves and that the test may not be the thing that should be used on the sidelines and in the team facilities during the week. The creators are PhDs and MDs. I am not saying that they are definitely wrong, but I am saying that we aren't sure if they are right and that we aren't sure of when the ImPACT test is the proper tool. The langauge on the ImPACT site is written in a way to make sure this is known:
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the first, most-widely used, and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. ImPACT was developed to provide useful information to assist qualified practitioners in making sound return to play decisions following concussions.
ImPACT can be administered by an athletic trainer, school nurse, athletic director, team doctor or psychologist, provided that they have completed training in the administration of the test. Post-concussion care and the management of concussion should only be administered by professionals with specialized training in concussion management. ImPACT assists doctors in making return-to-play decisions and should never be used as a stand-alone tool or as a diagnostic instrument
On to the comments from Mr. King's article:
The co-chair of the NFL's head, neck and spine committee, Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, told me the problem with players being removed from games immediately after being concussed is that a concussion is often not immediately apparent. Alex Smith played most of a series after being concussed last week, as did Jay Cutler. "We've had 193 instances of the athletic trainers upstairs calling down to the sidelines this year to tell medical officials to check out a player,'' Ellenbogen said. "Regarding concussions, there is no perfect rule for diagnosing a concussion. Often times, because players on the field have so much adrenaline going, a concussion doesn't show up for some times.'' The key, he said, is not only diagnosticians looking for concussions, but self-reporting, and we know how difficult that is during the course of a game.
The other major problem that will prevent safety in the NFL is the players themselves. Ephraim Salaam talked during a recent podcast with Robert Mays on www.grantland.com about every major representative from his team visiting him shortly after surgery. Each person told him about "needing him out there." Then there is the gladiator mentality and the non-guaranteed contract that looms over the whole discussion.
Finally, I mentioned that Pop Warner football will be extinct in our lifetimes in a previous article. Mr. King referenced an article speaking on that as well: http://www.slate.com/articles/sports...and_knock.html
I'm not exactly sure how to end this disjointed mess, so I'll just say that when it comes to concussions and the NFL and the future of the league:
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz2ChAGZ2lB
ImPACT site: http://impacttest.com/about/background
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Nice work, Evan.
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