Problem+Research


 * __Problem Research__**

Falotico, Guy. "Heading off trouble: concussions can be more than just a headache." //Current Health Teens, a Weekly Reader publication// Nov. 2010: 6+. //Opposing Viewpoints In Context//. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA246447962&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * A concussion is a brain injury suffered from a hard blow to the head.
 * When someone is hit in the head hard enough, their brain hits against the inside of their skull. This can cause bruising to the brain, and sometimes, damage to nerves.
 * Temporary results of a concussion: Loss of memory, loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
 * Severe concussion, multiple concussions, or not giving your brain enough time to heal after a concussion can have much worse effects.
 * Long term effects of multiple concussions: Learning disabilities, memory problems, ongoing migraines, fainting, and even death.
 * There is NO CURE for concussions, except for rest.
 * Nearly 15% of all athletes suffer a concussion every year.

"The Concussion Crisis: Anatomy of a Silent Epidemic." //Publishers Weekly// 4 July 2011: 58. //Student Resources in Context//. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA260943435&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * The most severe cases of concussions can lead to dementia.
 * This summer, NHL player Derek Boogaard died due to concussions after a career of full of fights and concussions.
 * NFL safety Dave Duerson also died this summer due to brain trauma.
 * There are between 1.3 and 3.8 sports related concussions every year worldwide.
 * Multiple major athletes have suffered impaired mental ability after their careers.

Epstein, David. "GETTING INSIDE THE HEAD OF SIDNEY CROSBY." //Sports Illustrated// 3 Oct. 2011. //Student Resources in Context//. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA268268374&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * Sidney Crosby, the star hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, hasn't played since last January due to a severe concussion.
 * On January 1st, he was hit very hard in the head by a Capitals player. Later on January 5th, he was hit from behind, head first into the boards.
 * Crosby has suffered from headaches, lack of focus, sensitivity to light, lack of balance, and spacial disorientation.
 * He is yet to play in the NHL since the concussion (or concussions).
 * None of the players who hit him were fined or punished.

"Sports Related Concussions." //Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh//. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .
 * There are over 300,000 sports related concussions every year in the U.S. alone.
 * Athletes who suffer more than one concussion are effected much more than those who only suffer one.
 * There are tests that athletes can take before and after a possible concussion to find out whether or not they have been concussed.
 * These tests sometimes fail to detect a first concussion, but do detect a concussion after a second one.
 * The only way serious brain damage can be prevented is if the __first__ concussion in detected.

Keating, Peter. "NHL - ESPN The Magazine - Concussions Are Becoming a Bigger Problem in Hockey and the Problem Is Getting Worse - ESPN." //Exclusive Videos, Chats, Fantasy Tools and More ESPN Insider - ESPN//. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. .
 * Many players don't know the difference between a legal hit and a dangerous hit.
 * In hockey, body checks are __supposed__ to be about separating a player from the puck.
 * In football, a tackle is __supposed__ to be about stopping the ball carrier.
 * However, many players try to hit and tackle other players in order to inflict pain instead of getting the puck or stopping the ball carrier.
 * There are not many rules in sports that prevent hits like this.

Gillis, Charlie, and Cathy Gulli. "The aftershocks: what crash-test analyses reveal about the first hit to Sidney Crosby, helmets, the game of hockey--and why no one will think of concussions the same way ever again." //Maclean's// 28 Feb. 2011: 46+. //Infotrac Newsstand//. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA251631322&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * A hard hit, like the one on Crosby, can leave an entire side of a brain damaged.
 * Concussions are not caused just by an impact, but rather angular acceleration - the rotation of the head.
 * A concussion can occur when the neck is whipped or bent quickly.
 * Hockey helmets are not designed to protect against angular acceleration, no matter what make or model.
 * Rules in sports are not yet adequate to help prevent concussions.
 * Concussions can affect an athlete's ability, as it decreases their ability to process the situation.

McAleese, Willis J., and Ed Scantling. "Head and spinal cord trauma involving youth recreational activities." //Parks & Recreation// Sept. 1996: 22+. //Student Resources in Context//. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA18738542&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * Hemorrhage can occur as a result of severe brain trauma.
 * The brain is incapable of regenerating. Once severe damage is done, it can't be fixed.
 * When skating injuries occur, the majority are to the "upper extremities" of the body.
 * Over 55% of sports related hospitalizations were a result of head injury.
 * Most people don't believe that a head injury will happen to them before it does.
 * "Thinking first" can prevent many concussions from occurring.

"Concussion Project Discovers Brain Disease in Two Former Canadian Players." //News Tonight// 30 July 2011. //Infotrac Newsstand//. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA266571505&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is a brain disease caused by brain trauma.
 * This disease is usually accompanied by a build up of protein in the brain.
 * This protein forms around neurons that are not working properly.
 * People with this disease have been known to die, or commit suicide.
 * Once the disease is detected, there is no cure, and it only gets worse.

Murphy, Austin. "The NHL's Fight Club." //Sports Illustrated// 26 Sept. 2011. //Student Resources in Context//. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA267567626&v=2.1&u=pl7053&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
 * This summer, three NHL enforcers (players who fight a lot) died - Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, and Wade Belak.
 * In July of 2010, Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert died after a career with many concussions.
 * Enforcers take many, many shots to the head, and are the most likely victims of concussions.
 * An entire career based on fighting other players can lead to many concussions, and eventually, brain diseases, or death.
 * Chris Nilan, a Canadiens enforcer, had 26 brain surgeries, and became addicted to pain killers.
 * While these were the results of more serious diseases, they were all the result of concussions.