Biology
The brain isn't fully devoloped until the early twenties.
Children's brains are more susceptible to long-term damage.
Even mild TBI can cause weeks of impairment,
headaches, memory problems, and absenteeism.
Brain damage can occur without symptoms.
Repetitve brain trauma interferes with the healing process.
Once a young person suffers a brain injury,
their risk for future injury increases dramatically.
Physics of Tackle Football
Tackle football participants endure hundreds of brain jarring collisions every season.
As many as 1 in 5 will suffer a debilitating brain injury.
Millions more will suffer repetitive twisting and tearing of vital brain tissue.
Brain damage can occur without symptoms.
Helmets can not prevent inertia or the bobblehead effect.
Both Pop Warner and the NFL have admitted
that brain damage is an inherent risk of the game.
There is no such thing as a safe tackle, safe block, safe hit, or a safe fall.
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Conculsions
There is no safe age for collision sports.
Discussions of protocols, helmets, and rule changes
all fail to address the inherent contradiction
at the center of this issue.
Schools should not endorse activites which
have been linked to brain damage.
Individual fitness is determined
by a number of factors.
by a number of factors.
PLEASE CONSIDER
THE FOLLOWING DECISION TREE
BEFORE JOINING THE FRAY
THE FOLLOWING DECISION TREE
BEFORE JOINING THE FRAY
If Yes to ALL: OK with Caution |
If Yes to ANY: NO |
18 or older |
Under 18 |
Proportional musculature for head size |
Large head relative to body |
No history of head injury | Positive history of head injury |
Has had technical instruction from a certified coach |
No technical instruction from a certified coach |
No history of learning or attention problems |
Positive history of learning or attention problems |