http://www.hbo.com/realsports/stories.shtml I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. Feel free to move as appropriate. The piece deals with the high rate of concussions among soccer players, both amateur and professional. According to one research, 50% of all soccer players entering college have suffered at least one concussion. One company has developed a protective headband specifically for soccer, but it is not approved for use by the National Federation of High School and it may not even be effective in preventing concussions. Pretty good piece. Deals with the perception of soccer as a safe, non-contact sport and that concussions go overlooked because many players and coaches simply don't recognize it. Re-air schedule: http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&ID=98277
I saw that last night. It was kind of an interesting piece. It didnt really give a definitive answer one way or the other. I'd suggest watching it, even though I hate supporting any show with soccer bashers Deford and Gumbel on it.
I wonder what the concussion rate in soccer is compared to sports like football, rugby and hockey that are a bit more physical. I can agree that Gumbel isn't a soccer basher. DeFord personally doesn't like soccer. It doesn't make him a soccer basher, though some of his "sports curmudgeon" tirades about how Americans are superior because we our hands in sports do make me want to call him a soccer basher sometimes- but you have to have a sense of humor when you listen to him.
From what I could remember from the show, I belive the rate is comparable - though concussion isn't something that's easy to track due to lack of awareness and obvious symptoms. You have to consider that there is a lot more contact to the head in soccer, i.e. collisions, elbows and headers. And while there are protective head gear in football and hockey (and to a lesser extent in rugby), most soccer players' heads are unprotected. And even the padded headband that was mentioned in the piece doesn't do much since the brain still moves inside the skull and it leaves back of the head unprotected. Mary Carillo asked whether headers were a problem and the response was that proper technique should prevent injury. It was noted that repeated blows to the head, i.e. in training could lead to brain damage and the recommendation was that for practicing headers, balls be deflated to reduce weight.
Is this the head band they were talking about in the peice? http://www.full90.com/ Their website says they're approved by the USSF. BTW- Carlos Ruis must wear these things to practice flopping around like he's fouled because they are also a sponsor of the Galaxy http://www.full90.com/news.asp?article=8 The headband maker is also a sponsor of The San Deigo Spirit: http://www.full90.com/news.asp?article=3 They also get an endorsment form the "ultimate soccer mom" : http://www.full90.com/news.asp?article=6 http://www.full90.com/players/fawcett.asp
I believe so, though I don't remember the brand being mentioned by name. And according to the website, it's FIFA-compliant.
Real science from Dr. Don Kirkendall of UNC-Chapel Hill on this subject. ---Matt Banks, Chatham County, NC
I watched it, it wasn't bad. Though one thing I think that might be a problem in America that they didn't mention is that some kids aren't taught proper technique, because some of the coaches of younger teams have never played before. If you head a ball with proper technique I don't think you'll ever be injured seriously just from heading the ball. Collisions, they happen, I guess, and there's no way to get around it.
One part I couldn't understand: A HS girl in the piece, who had a previous concussion, wasn't allowed to wear the protective headband on the field by some high school association. Even tho its FIFA compliant.....that doesnt make sense. It was a good piece overall, there still aren't sure-fire answers. Teaching proper technique is still the key.
Yeah, I watched it and I would agree. I think though, there is a subtext to the story and the debate on the gear that is disccused often here on Big Soccer, that may really be at the heart of a lot of the worries: youth soccer is still for a lot of parents, a refuge away from some of the more violent/physical sports; a place to "let the kids run around and get some fresh air and exercise." It's also a view of many in mainstream media-often a backhanded compliment of the sport. I think this view of the sport may shape some parents view on the how much danger/risk they feel should be tolerated and what should be done to protect the kids.
Does the fact that Pickup wears this thing mean that she has gotten more concussions than is generally known? Or is it because of the number of Pic-Flips she does during a game?