BODILY issue- Concussion in Sport

Question 1

What’s the relationship between concussion and sociology?

Answer 1

Underpins the need to scrutinise issues in sport.

Allows us. shows the need for a sociological examination

Question 2

Outline the issue of concussion?

Answer 2

A traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanics forces

From a direct blow to the body

Leads to the rapid onset of short lived impairment/ neurological functions

Question 3

What does McCrory at al (2013) say about concussion?

Answer 3

“Amongst the most complex injuries in sport medicine to diagnose, assess and manage”

+ (second impact syndrome)= undeterminable, but largely identified as the death of many children in contact sports

Question 4

What is the conflict here?

Answer 4

A clash between a group who see childhood injuries as ‘inherently undesirable’ and those that see injuries as an ‘acceptable compromise’, given the potential benefits of competition (Quarrie et al, 2017)

An existential or axiological crisis? Will these sports continue to exist?
Does concussion present an unnecessary risk in sports?

Question 5

HISTORICAL CONTEXTS?

(E. A Harrison, 2014)

Answer 5

-The First Concussion Crisis
= 137 serious injuries and 19 deaths= a serious problem.

Early 21st century- American Football

-Forward pass and helmets introduced

-US colleges fought to preserve the game

-1973- the First proof of long term brain injury in BOXING

-1980’s- medical associations formally recommended the abolition of boxing

Question 6

Is this still a CONTEMPORARY crisis?

Answer 6

(2002) - Mike Webster- died in his 50’s, an autopsy showed he had CTE

(2011/ 12)- Many player suicides in North America- six individuals from the NFL and NHL, many later diagnosed with CTE

(2006)- Child Injuries- Zachery Lysteld- ‘Lysteld Law’- lots of campaigning.

Question 7

Organisational cover ups? Who has the power to set the agenda?

Answer 7

-The NFL as the ‘League of Denial’

-They set up the Mild Traumatic Injury committee in 1994- but not sufficient or expert enough

-Accused of abusing its position to advance research, minimising the dangers of concussion.

PAUL MCCRORY- Concussion announcements- found guilt of plagiarism and miss quoting evidence to shift arguments in the field.

Question 8

How can we look towards CTE?

Answer 8

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy- a neurological disease.

Only identified/ seen after death- can’t be properly diagnosed alive.

Important to record and scrutinise discussions related to CTE- de-bunk myths?

Question 9

What are some social processes that create the issue of concussion?

Answer 9

MEDICINE AND HEALTH

-Healthism
-Brain culture
-Dementia

THE GROWING ‘SERIOUSNESS’ OF SPORT

-Critiques of commercialisation
-Celebrity- we care more about those in the public eye
-National identify- NFL in America, Rugby in NZ.
-The decline of self-regulation of sport- less able to self-regulate, authorities in a position of regulation.

CHILDHOOD- The ideology of childhood

-Concerned cultivation of the youth- the idea that they should be protected.

Question 10

How is Dementia linked to concussion?

Answer 10

A social unique form of illness

Dementia narratives and the concussion crisis= sports coverage replicates narratives about dementia.

• Typical males
• Panic- a blame discourse
• A misleading projection of a possible ‘cure’
• Promoting individual responsibilities for health- personal trouble.

Question 11

What are some responses/ solutions to concussion that have been proposed?

Answer 11

Tackles in rugby- low

G force monitors in rugby

Helmets

NFL RULES

Investment in Research

Awareness/ information

Increase the age you start playing