Should Teens Be Allowed To Participate In Dangerous Sports

Concussions occur on a large scale in football. During a concussion, the head can experience a blow directly or can have whiplash. When the head is hit, the brain hits the inside of the skull, giving it a temporary bruise. This bruise or tearing of the brain can lead to mental impairments that can affect a person’s emotional state of being, physical problems like deteriorated mobility and sensitivity to light and sound. Doctors are quick to point out one of the major reasons that youth receive concussions, saying, “... children have big heads relative to the rest of their bodies and weak necks… that elevates the risk of concussions,” (P6). Along with a lack of education and care for the protection of athletes, youth are already at a huge risk. When children wear their football helmets, they are saving themselves from many injuries that could have occurred without them, most especially protecting the brain. But, in many cases, this is not enough.

We have all heard of the term “sports injury”. Usually an accident that occurs when engaged in a sport, the ideal can apply from something as frustrating as a rolled ankle to the more debilitating shock of a broken arm. Yet the fact remains that these physical ailments will heal, and properly, if they are treated properly. But what about concussions? What are the long term effects? In her brief editorial in TIME magazine, Alexandra Sifferlin explores the effects of concussions and specifically how they affect children if they aren't disclosed.

The symptoms include memory problems, nausea, temporary disorientation, and brief unconsciousness, while more serious concussions can result in permanent brain damage, especially if repeated. In the most severe cases, the brain could swell, consequently putting pressure on the brain stem which controls basic life functions, particularly breathing. Recently concussed people did 25% worse on memory and comprehension assessments compared to those without a concussion, a study published in the journal Neurology found. The concussed participants showed signs of brain damage on imaging scans one year later, despite evaluation results being equal between the two groups. Kids of the approximate middle school age, 12-15, are at the highest risk. Not only are they at the highest risk, younger kids are now sustaining concussions more frequently. The most recent data from the Center for Disease Control shows that 25,376 children were sent to the emergency room due to brain injury received from participating in football each year. According to the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association, emergency room visits for concussions doubled between 8 and 13 year olds between 1997 and

Kids are coming to their parents and coaches at much earlier ages than before. According to the article Stats on Concussion and Sports says the rate of concussions in eight-thirteen year olds has nearly doubled. Most often, kids that get these injuries and their first concussion can recover fully with no setbacks or long term injuries. However, it is the second and third concussions that can cause neurological disability and increase chances of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy by 39% (“Stats on Concussions and Sports” 1). The article also states how these concussions that athletes are experiencing at such young ages may be the reason as to why we are seeing so many athletes get concussions during their college and professional

With an average of 300,000 cases a year in the U.S alone, concussions have become a major topic in the athletic world. (Gessel et. al 2007) In the mid to late 1900’s many people were under the belief that a concussion was not that big of a deal and kids were rarely checked for an injury. It wasn’t until recent years that doctors actually researched concussions and realized that they were a big deal just like any other brain injury. The rise in concussions awareness has happened because of the lasting effects that numerous concussions can have on the brain. These effects can include an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's, and Dementia. Because of these new studies professional

“CDC reports show that the amount of reported concussions has doubled in the last 10 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reported that emergency room visits for concussions in kids ages 8 to 13 years old has doubled, and concussions have risen 200 percent among teens ages 14 to 19 in the last decade” (Head Case, 2013). It is reported that between 5-10% of athletes will suffer concussion during any given sports season. Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males with a 75% chance. It has also been found that 78% of concussions happen during games as opposed to during practices (Science Daily, 2014).

Football was something I knew I loved in the matter of a play, but I didn’t know how life threatening it could be. Not only at the moment, but also the effects it can cause in the future. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year U.S. emergency rooms care for an estimated 135,000 children ages 5 to 18 for sports-related brain injuries. As a youth playing football, you have cuts, and bruises. But most of the injuries playing football is are concussions.

Today’s youth is our society’s future, which is why it is important to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. Children and teens who get into trouble are more likely to continue doing so as they reach adulthood. It is important to give children an alternative extra-curricular activity than hanging out with their friends unsupervised with peer pressure all around them. Sports can be a great way to help these children improve their lives.

First, should play dangerous sports because they can get really bad injured and they can possible die from the injury? On March 24, 2015 In San Francisco a man named Chris Borland retired from sports and a year later he wanted to join sports again and then died from getting injured in the sports. When teens play sports like that they can break their bones. For example, when people play soccer they can break their toes or ankle from kicking the ball or they can get a concussion from hitting the ball with their head.

Some sports like football and soccer are labeled as dangerous. There has always been controversial over if teens should be able to play them, many parents have concerns about their children participating in these hard hitting sports. While there are many risks of youth playing these sports, there are many benefits that outweigh those possibilities of harm! I believe that teens/young children should be able to participate in these athletics because the risks are worth it, if they are doing what they love. One of those benefits teach them how to deal with potential future injuries like for instance a minor concussion or a broken bone.

The youth sports are becoming more harmful to all ages of students. Youth sports are harmful because some schools don’t have the right equipment, more and more kids are getting hurt, and other school actives are not getting noticed.

Teens and younger children should be restricted from playing sports in school. They should ban sports if they're dangerous and if not so dangerous that show keep them. Sports has its ups and downs kids can get hurt and can get healthy

Here are some reasons why sports can help keep teens out of trouble, (Sports) “require a lot of a teen’s time, as most teams practice or have competitions several days per week during the season. When she isn’t practicing or competing, she is most likely studying to stay eligible, eating or sleeping. When teens are busy doing positive things, they don’t have as much time to get into trouble. Teen athletes, particularly females, tend to have better self-esteem than their peers and typically make healthier choices to keep their bodies in better conditions, which includes abstaining from unhealthy foods, sex, drugs and alcohol.” This is the first reason.

Concussions are a huge topic in the world of sports in the last couple of years. In fact, the issue concerning concussions and brain damage has become national. With the recent CTE study, and more ongoing concussion issues, parents have debated on taking their kids out of sports younger and younger, which is just not what should be happening. People should be putting their kids in sports when they are young because it helps improve grades, has a lot of health benefits, and confidence.

Sports are played all over the world. From kids as young as 3 years old just learning the basics of a sport, to the well rounded college and professional athletes, sports are played almost everywhere in the world. With sports, though, come the risk of concussions. What is a concussion?  “A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain that temporarily disrupts its normal function.” (Brzycki). As simple as that may sound, concussions are very serious. Concussions can cause many serious and severe short and long term issues. In the past few years, there has been a growing concern about sports related concussions. There has also been a growing concern about coaches, trainers, and athletes awareness about concussions and the serious consequences that they may bring. That may leave some to wonder if their son or daughter's coaches are up to date with current concussion education and awareness.