Youth Football and Concussions

The article that I read today, it talks about the new precautions that youth football is taking to prevent concussions. They are significantly lowering the amount of contact drills that he coaches are allowed to have at practice. They are doing so by age level. When I played youth football I remember doing head on tackling, and I  hated it. I think that this is a huge step in making the game more enjoyable and safe for the years to come. USA football director says "It's a positive change for all youth sports. There's an increase in knowledge and sophistication in youth leagues addressing player health that you didn't see five years ago. You're seeing youth sports as a whole becoming smarter on this issue." He basically is letting the parents and players know that they are taking steps to protect there children better. Studies at Wake Forrest and Virginia Tech, have shown that youth football players sustain injuries similar to NFL players. The studies have shown that most of the injuries come during practice. So that is another major reason why they are trying to limit the contact allowed for certain age groups. This game will never be fully safe to play, but the steps that we are taking in today's world will make everything better in the years to come. Till next time!



http://www.athleticbusiness.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=3908&zoneid=10

Syracuse Concussion Prevention

In the latest article that I have read about concussion prevention, it takes place at Syracuse university. After a season of desperation, and multiple head injuries the football program decided to take a new approach to preventing the injury. Head Coach Doug Marrone thought back to his playing days and said, " Did we have this many injuries?". He came to the conclusion no. So he thought back to what they used to do to workout. He remembered that his coach at the time, had made them do various neck workouts. Workouts, that helped reduce concussions. Several experts in the medical and weight training fields agree that Syracuse's new additions to the strength and conditioning program are positive steps, but they note that significant revisions are needed to maximize results. The workouts produced results, each players necks grew in size. The team was in good graces, they made it through spring football with no head injuries. They were making steps in the right direction. Some specialists do say, that the program needs to get specific workout machines to maximize the strengthening. Machines like the HALO, which is an inflatable bladder that improves a players 360 degree motion. This is just another step towards preventing concussions at all levels of sports.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/ncaa/09/28/concussions-neck-strength-syracuse-eastern-michigan/index.html#ixzz2EfkfODXp

Ridell 360 Helmet

Concussions in the football have been a reoccurring problem for many years. Many different remedies have been used to try to prevent them, but not all have worked. A new helmet has come out by Ridell. It's called the Ridell 360. It is supposed to be the best helmet to prevent concussions. An article by CBS reporter Will Brinson says, " The primary piece of technology is a hexagonal liner system inside of the helmet that made up of energy managing materials, which, coupled with strategically-placed face mask hinge clips help to reduce forces from frontal impacts. In terms of reducing concussions, there's not a whole lot more that football players need than the reduction of those impactful blows." He is basically is saying that the new helmet that is coming out has state of the art technology and will protect players from concussion immensely. The helmet is being tested out in college for teams like Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and Iowa. It is just another step towards protecting players at all levels, from concussions.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/20097921/new-riddell-360-helmet-future-of-concussion-prevention