head injuries in sport

[Michael Rolls]

There is growing evidence of the links between early onset dementia and sport injuries' in contact sports such as boxing, American football, Rugby union and rugby league. Sports that participants clearly enjoy - nobody forces them to participate - but which places them at far greater risk of brain damage the the average member of the population. I boxed at school. but only because it was compulsory. Only fought a handful of bouts - it was introduced, IRM, until you were 13, perhaps 14. Only played Rugby - and then at very low introductory lived, Hampton had been a strictly soccer school until my last year - can't remember ever getting really clattered. In soccer. our sports master (very popular) kept reminding us that is FOOTball. not headball - wonder if he thought about injuries
One think that I have picked up, which I doubt many realise - a blow to the side of the head is far more likely to result in brain damage than one of equivalent force to the front or the back

[klondike]

There has been talk of banning boxing for years but it has never happened. If it were banned in one country I suspect illegal boxing which would be even more dangerous would start or maybe increase if it already is taking place. 

Rugby is a world sport and would need banning everywhere or changing to a game of tag. I can't see it happening.

If they had more protective gear on somebody would have to roll American footballers around the pitch.

This isn't my opinion as a sports fan in any way. I couldn't give a rat's fart if all sport was banned but my opinion as a realist - there is too much money involved.

[Michael Rolls]

can't argue.

[Cassandra]

I think the heading of the heavy old leather football, when sodden with rain all those years ago has sadly seen so many footballers, including the great Sir Bobby Charlton stricken with dementia.

Alternatively the young scammers in todays game feign 'head blows' because they know 'writhing' around on the ground as a wilful act of fraud is certain to stop the game ...

[Michael Rolls]

yes, a wet leather football back then was a blunt instrument indeed

[Alex]

Even if you don't follow football, these  names will be familiar to most.
Some famous footballers who died with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia, including 5 of the 1966 team !
Peter Bonetti, Bobby Charlton, Jacky Charlton, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson. 

[klondike]

Plenty do without ever playing football though.

[Alex]

Plenty do without ever playing football though.

Yes of course they do, but the thread title is Head Injuries in Sport.

[klondike]

As so many of my replies in your threads seem to give you the hump for some reason I won't bother in future.

[Alex]

You don't give me the hump, but you do seem to single out my posts for, can I say nit picking !  Nowadays I find myself picking back, that's all.

p.s. I could find a few............. if I could be ar*ed

[Cassandra]

Even if you don't follow football, these  names will be familiar to most.
Some famous footballers who died with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia, including 5 of the 1966 team !
Peter Bonetti, Bobby Charlton, Jacky Charlton, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson.

Jeff Astle (WBA & England) aged 59. Danny Branchflower Spurs & N.I. aged 67 .

A medical report from 2019 shows that Footballers are 3 and a half times more prevalent to die of dementia ...