Latest research confirms helmet design is key in concussion prevention

Source: sadlersports.com - Latest research confirms helmet design is key in concussion prevention
Author: John M. Sadler

Reducing player concussions is a top priority in the world of football. Despite earlier blog postings citing doubts about the protective ability of advanced helmets, the latest research says advances in helmet design can make a huge impact on lowering the number of concussions for football players of all ages.

 The latest research

A recent study was the first to be conducted on the playing field, not in the lab. Two differently-designed Riddell helmets, the VSR4 and the Revolution, were fitted with sensors and tested on nearly 2000 college players over a five-year span. The Riddell Revolution helmets showed a 54 percent reduction in concussion risk compared to the VSR4. Player participants were from schools such as UNC, Virginia Tech and Brown. Data from the sensors, engineered to measure biomechanical head acceleration, was collected from more than one million head impacts.

“The Revolution is slightly bigger and has more padding, with a different shell configuration,” said Stefan Duma, the head of the Virginia Tech–Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. Both those elements result in lowered head acceleration, which in turn offers a significantly lower risk of concussion.

It’s not the helmet company, it’s the helmet design

The three elements involved in football concussions are the game rules, the coaching and helmet quality. A weak link in that triple combination raises the risk of concussion.

Riddell’s Revolution was designed 10 years ago, but until 2011 the VSR4 was the preferred helmet of over 50 percent of NFL and college coaches. The VSR4 was designed over 20 years ago. There are newer helmets on the market. Players, parents and coaches should take the time and effort to research a variety of helmet designs and choose the equipment that offers the best head-impact protection.

For more information on lowering concussion risks, please visit Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance for the concussion resources section of our risk management content.

Source: Loren Grush, “Football helmet design,” Foxnews.com, 31 Jan. 2014.

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Skip practice, and the books, following a concussion

Source: sadlersports.com - Skip practice, and the books, following a concussion
Author: John M. Sadler

 Recent concussions treatment research reveals that taking a break from the classroom is as important as taking time off the field while recuperating from head injuries. Doctors had long suspected this and advised their patients accordingly, and now research backs up their advice.

Researchers found that concussion patients who took a brief period of complete rest shortened their recovery time. The study included 335 patients ranging in age from 8 to 23. These are significant findings for treating head injuries in children. Youth are the segment of the population most at-risk for long term damage because of their still-developing brains.

Recent research study and findings

The study found that half of kids who did not take complete rest immediately following their injury took 100 or more days to fully recuperate. Nearly all who took the time to rest fully before slowly returning to daily activities recuperated in less than 100 days, some as quickly as two months. Evidence also indicates that the reduction of mind activity after a concussion lessens the symptoms associated with head injuries.

The severity of the symptoms determines how much time each child needs to rest the brain.Three to five days is usually sufficient, according to study co-author William Meehan of the Sports Concussion Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Then you can gradually reintroduce them to cognitive activity. They should do as much as they can without exacerbating their symptoms,” said Meehan.

What’s involved in the the healing process

A jolt to the head can result in what’s tantamount to a mini seizure. The brain cells fire up all at once, depleting their fuel. To recover, the brain shuts down as it begins the process of restoring the cells. That recovery time is prolonged when brain activity is resumed too early.

“[I]t can take days to weeks for processes in the brain to mop up the mess from a concussion,” said Douglas Smith of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

Taking it slow

The litmus test for returning to activities is being able to do whatever doesn’t aggravate the symptoms. Start with 15 minutes of reading or computer time. But if a headache or other symptoms start up, it’s time to take a break and rest. Increase activity time as the child is able without triggering symptoms or pain.

For more information and to find out more about Concussion Risk Management you can check out our Concussion Resources.

Source: Linda Carroll, “Skip the Homework,” nbcnews.com, 06 Jan. 2014.

 

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Disagreement on NFL’s proposed $765 million concussion settlement

Source: sadlersports.com - Disagreement on NFL’s proposed $765 million concussion settlement
Author: John M. Sadler

Not everyone involved in the NFL’s proposed $765 million player concussion settlement is ready to sign the agreement. The proposal states that players were never made aware of the concussions risks of which the NFL had knowledge.

Players and families filing lawsuit argue the settlement would not assign blame or offer punitive damages for pain and suffering.

It’s not just about the players

Critics of the proposal note that there are other people affected by the damages resulting from the concussions of the players.

The 2012 suicide of NFL linebacker Junior Seau points to the obvious fact that he can’t be compensated for pain and suffering. However, his three children are the ones who are dealing with the pain and suffering in the wake of his death. Seau’s family is objecting to the proposed settlement and plans to file aseparate suit.

Anita Brody, the U.S. district judge who will oversee the settlement, also questions whether $765 million is adequate compensation for all the parties involved. There are approximately 20,000 claims by people involved over a 65-year period.

The push to settle

The majority of retired players in the suit are are not contesting the terms of the proposed settlement, according to lead attorneys Christopher Seeger and Sol Weiss. They state that the retirees are ready to settle and take advantage of the awarded funds.

Younger players and former players suffering from Alzheimer’s disease could be awarded as much as $5 million. But most of the plaintiffs who are dealing with mild forms of dementia would likely be awarded less than $25,000. If the lawsuit is thrown out, they could all end up with nothing.

More information is needed

“This could be a great settlement, this could be a terrible settlement, but I don’t know,” said Thomas A. Demetrio, the attorney representing the late Dave Duerson’s family and nine other players or their families in the suit.

Demetrio also stated that two questions need answered: what portion of the payments will be paid out of insurance and why attorneys will be splitting another $112 million if the case never went to trial.

Please visit Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance for more information on the NFL settlement,  concussion risks, and sports insurance or to request a quote.

Source:   Maryclaire Dale, “Seau Family Plans to Object,” Insurance Journal, 29 Jan. 2014.

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