The dangers associated with contact sports

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Another subject hitting the news lately has been the number of sportspeople suffering from CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repetitive head impacts. At first, it was believed that continual bouts of concussion were leading to CTE but now it seems that physical bumps, blows or jolts to the head are also contributing to the disease. Some contact sports players experience dozens of head hits in their lifetimes. These smaller bumps and jolts over many years are just as damaging as recognisable concussion. There are more and more reports coming through of players both young and old, from amateurs to professionals, experiencing these symptoms. Originally, the main focus was on Australian Rules Football players. It’s a rough-and-tumble sport like soccer, rugby, ice hockey and others. Boxers are also at risk. CTE can only be confirmed after death by examining the brain, but symptoms such as short-term memory loss, depression, rage, poor impulse control and suicidal thoughts are all indications of the onset of CTE. Some of the younger ones, in particular, find relief only through suicide. The Australian Rules Football League (AFL) has a dilemma on its hand trying to combat the problem. The sport brings in a lot of money but at what expense? The photo is mine.