DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 28: Strong safety David Bruton #30 of the Denver Broncos is attended to by trainers after a play that would force him out of the game with a reported concussion during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 28, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Recent data is providing new insights into concussions, why they happen and what’s the best form of protection against brain injuries.

The New York Times released a study giving new information on the contentious topic. Following the data of a football player wearing a mouth guard with motion sensors developed by David Camarillo and his Stanford Cab Lab team, more details were provided on what happens to the brain immediately following a concussion.

The study determined the previous connection of concussions to bruises on the brain’s outer surface doesn’t tell the entire story. It’s suggested serious damage happens deeper in the brain. Instead of tracking data through football helmets, scientists have opted to use other trackers such as mouth guards since a helmet can move independently of the skull.

“The brain’s wiring, essentially, is all running from left to right, not front to back,” Camarillo said, referring to the primary wiring that connects the brain’s hemispheres. “So the direction you are struck can have a very different effect within the brain. In football, the presence of the face mask can make that sort of twisting even more extreme.”

Alarmingly, the study suggests football helmets aren’t currently retrofitted to protect players from brain injuries. On top of that, scientists believe, with the amount of contact players take on a day-to-day basis, brain injuries are caused by both serious head blows and minor hits. So all the practicing, scrimmages and game time action add up.

Football is a dangerous sport that might be even more debilitating than initially thought. If helmets aren’t doing their intended job, something needs to change immediately. Players are too much at risk in today’s game. Hopefully, the new data will lead to changes to how we track and view brain safety in football.

[New York Times]

About Liam McGuire

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