Posturing Responses in Concussions Sustained by Elite American Football Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 203-207
Author(s):  
Scott L. Bruce ◽  
Kyra Dorney
Keyword(s):  
Current Literature ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
National Football League ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Association Football ◽  
Football Game

Current literature indicates loss of consciousness occurs in about 10% of concussions. Posturing presentations represent brain injuries and a loss of consciousness. The purpose of this study was to observe video evidence of football-game-related concussions to determine the rate in which a posturing presentation occurs in reported concussion. Over the course of three National Football League and three National Collegiate Athletic Association football seasons, 103 videos of 805 reported concussions met the inclusion criteria; 35 videos demonstrated a posturing presentation, for a rate of 33.98%. Our study indicates that the published statistic regarding loss of consciousness (occurring only about 10% of the time) may be too conservative.

Effect of Turf Toe on Foot Contact Pressures in Professional American Football Players

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Brophy ◽  
Seth C. Gamradt ◽  
Scott J. Ellis ◽  
Ronnie P. Barnes ◽  
Scott A. Rodeo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Plantar Pressures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Turf Toe ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Contact Pressures

Background: The relationship between turf toe and plantar foot pressures has not been extensively studied. Two hypotheses were tested in a cohort of professional American football players: first, that a history of turf toe is associated with increased peak hallucal and first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) plantar pressures; second, that decreased range of motion (ROM) of the first MTP correlates with increased peak hallucal and first MTP plantar pressures. Materials and Methods: Forty-four athletes from one National Football League (NFL) team were screened for a history of turf toe during preseason training. Dorsal passive MTP ROM and dynamic plantar pressures were measured in both feet of each player. Anatomical masking was used to assess peak pressure at the first MTP and hallux. Results: First MTP dorsiflexion was significantly lower in halluces with a history of turf toe (40.6 ± 15.1 degrees versus 48.4 ± 12.8 degrees, p = 0.04). Peak hallucal pressures were higher in athletes with turf toe (535 ± 288 kPa versus 414 ± 202 kPa, p = 0.05) even after normalizing for athlete body mass index ( p = 0.0003). Peak MTP pressure was not significantly different between the two groups tested. First MTP dorsiflexion did not correlate with peak hallucal or first MTP pressures. Conclusion: This study showed that turf toe is associated with decreased MTP motion. In addition, increased peak hallucal pressures were found. Further study is warranted to determine whether these pressures correlate with the severity of symptoms or progression of turf toe to first MTP arthritis.

scholarly journals Exertional Heat Illness in American Football Players: When Is the Risk Greatest?

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 593-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earl R. Cooper ◽  
Michael S. Ferrara ◽  
Douglas J. Casa ◽  
John W. Powell ◽  
Steven P. Broglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
The United States ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Heat Illness ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Exertional Heat Illness ◽  
Globe Temperature

Context: Knowledge about the specific environmental and practice risks to participants in American intercollegiate football during preseason practices is limited. Identifying risks may mitigate occurrences of exertional heat illness (EHI). Objective: To evaluate the associations among preseason practice day, session number, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and the incidence of EHI. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: Sixty colleges and universities representing 5 geographic regions of the United States. Patients or Other Participants: National Collegiate Athletic Association football players. Main Outcome Measure(s): Data related to preseason practice day, session number, and WBGT. We measured WBGT every 15 minutes during the practice sessions and used the mean WBGT from each session in the analysis. We recorded the incidence of EHIs and calculated the athlete-exposures (AEs). Results: A total of 553 EHI cases and 365 810 AEs were reported for an overall EHI rate of 1.52/1000 AEs (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42, 1.68). Approximately 74% (n = 407) of the reported EHI cases were exertional heat cramps (incidence rate = 1.14/1000 AEs; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.25), and about 26% (n = 146) were a combination of exertional heat syncope and heat exhaustion (incidence rate = 0.40/1000 AEs; 95% CI = 0.35, 0.48). The highest rate of EHI occurred during the first 14 days of the preseason period, and the greatest risk was during the first 7 days. The risk of EHI increased substantially when the WBGT was 82.0°F (27.8°C) or greater. Conclusions: We found an increased rate of EHI during the first 14 days of practice, especially during the first 7 days. When the WBGT was greater than 82.0°F (27.8°C), the rate of EHI increased. Sports medicine personnel should take all necessary preventive measures to reduce the EHI risk during the first 14 days of practice and when the environmental conditions are greater than 82.0°F (27.8°C) WBGT.

scholarly journals Fluid Consumption and Sweating in National Football League and Collegiate Football Players With Different Access to Fluids During Practice

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Fowkes Godek ◽  
Arthur R. Bartolozzi ◽  
Chris Peduzzi ◽  
Scott Heinerichs ◽  
Eugene Garvin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Football League ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Sweat Rate ◽  
Fluid Replacement ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Fluid Consumption ◽  
Sweat Loss ◽  
Sports Drinks ◽  
Football Team ◽  
Collegiate Football

Abstract Context: Considerable controversy regarding fluid replacement during exercise currently exists. Objective: To compare fluid turnover between National Football League (NFL) players who have constant fluid access and collegiate football players who replace fluids during water breaks in practices. Design: Observational study. Setting: Respective preseason training camps of 1 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II (DII) football team and 1 NFL football team. Both morning and afternoon practices for DII players were 2.25 hours in length, and NFL players practiced for 2.25 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. Environmental conditions did not differ. Patients or Other Participants: Eight NFL players (4 linemen, 4 backs) and 8 physically matched DII players (4 linemen, 4 backs) participated. Intervention(s): All players drank fluids only from their predetermined individual containers. The NFL players could consume both water and sports drinks, and the DII players could only consume water. Main Outcome Measure(s): We measured fluid consumption, sweat rate, total sweat loss, and percentage of sweat loss replaced. Sweat rate was calculated as change in mass adjusted for fluids consumed and urine produced. Results: Mean sweat rate was not different between NFL (2.1 ± 0.25 L/h) and DII (1.8 ± 0.15 L/h) players (F1,12  =  2, P  =  .18) but was different between linemen (2.3 ± 0.2 L/h) and backs (1.6 ± 0.2 L/h) (t14  =  3.14, P  =  .007). We found no differences between NFL and DII players in terms of percentage of weight loss (t7  =  −0.03, P  =  .98) or rate of fluid consumption (t7  =  −0.76, P  =  .47). Daily sweat loss was greater in DII (8.0 ± 2.0 L) than in NFL (6.4 ± 2.1 L) players (t7  =  −3, P  =  .02), and fluid consumed was also greater in DII (5.0 ± 1.5 L) than in NFL (4.0 ± 1.1 L) players (t7  =  −2.8, P  =  .026). We found a correlation between sweat loss and fluids consumed (r  =  0.79, P < .001). Conclusions: During preseason practices, the DII players drinking water at water breaks replaced the same volume of fluid (66% of weight lost) as NFL players with constant access to both water and sports drinks.

scholarly journals Estimated age of first exposure to American football and outcome from concussion

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (21) ◽  
pp. e2935-e2944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn B. Caccese ◽  
Zac Houck ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski ◽  
James R. Clugston ◽  
Grant L. Iverson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Motor Speed ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Composite Scores

ObjectiveTo examine the association between estimated age at first exposure (eAFE) to American football and clinical measures throughout recovery following concussion.MethodsParticipants were recruited across 30 colleges and universities as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)–Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium. There were 294 NCAA American football players (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated 24–48 hours following concussion with valid baseline data and 327 (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated at the time they were asymptomatic with valid baseline data. Participants sustained a medically diagnosed concussion between baseline testing and postconcussion assessments. Outcome measures included the number of days until asymptomatic, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) composite scores, Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) total score, and Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) subscores. The eAFE was defined as participant's age at the time of assessment minus self-reported number of years playing football.ResultsIn unadjusted regression models, younger eAFE was associated with lower (worse) ImPACT Visual Motor Speed (R2 = 0.031, p = 0.012) at 24–48 hours following injury and lower (better) BSI-18 Somatization subscores (R2 = 0.014, p = 0.038) when the athletes were asymptomatic. The effect sizes were very small. The eAFE was not associated with the number of days until asymptomatic, other ImPACT composite scores, BESS total score, or other BSI-18 subscores.ConclusionEarlier eAFE to American football was not associated with longer symptom recovery, worse balance, worse cognitive performance, or greater psychological distress following concussion. In these NCAA football players, longer duration of exposure to football during childhood and adolescence appears to be unrelated to clinical recovery following concussion.

scholarly journals NFL Draft Prep Players Improve 40-Yard Run Times and Foot-Ground Kinetics

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Mokha ◽  
Tobin Silver ◽  
Pete Bommarito
Keyword(s):  
Contact Time ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Linear Speed ◽  
Vertical Ground ◽  
Ground Contact Time

Introduction: Linear speed is a discriminant factor between drafted and undrafted American football players into the National Football League. Linear speed is influenced by foot-ground contact time and the magnitude of vertical ground reaction force. The aim of this study was to determine if foot-ground kinetics during speed running could be modified through participating in a 6-week NFL draft preparation camp. Methods:  To evaluate foot-ground kinetics, 16 American football players ran on an instrumented treadmill for 5 seconds at 6.5 m/s.  Linear speed was measured during a 40-yard (36.6 m) outdoor run. Pre- and post-camp linear speed times, stance-averaged vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF, kg/N), foot-ground contact time (msec), and vertical impulse (kg/N * s) were examined using paired t-tests, p<.05. Results: Linear speed times significantly improved [(pre, 4.8±0.2 vs. post, 4.6±0.2 sec), t(15)=13.8, p<.001)], and foot-ground contact time significantly decreased for the right limb [(pre, 177+3.2 vs. post, 168+2.2 ms), t(15)=2.21, p=.043]. Mean vertical impulse and stance-averaged GRF for both limbs remained unchanged, p>.05. Conclusions: Linear speed and selected foot-ground kinetics are modifiable in NFL draft prep players. Training appears to lower 40-yard run times and foot-ground contact time.

scholarly journals Effect of Concussions on National Football League Quarterback Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Heintz ◽  
Emily F. Foret ◽  
Jeremy J. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
American Football ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Career Outcomes ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Player Performance

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) rates are higher in American football than any other sport; therefore, the effects of SRCs on professional football players is a prevalent topic. Previous research has shown that sustaining an SRC has negative financial and overall career outcomes for athletes and may cause performance decrements after an athlete returns to play, however, the results of previous research regarding athlete performance after returning from an SRC are mixed. While some studies found that player performance in the National Football League (NFL) was unaffected upon returning from an SRC, evidence also suggests significant scoring reductions in offensive players. Although previous research has found that NFL running backs and wide receivers perform at levels similar to their performance before sustaining an SRC, little is known about quarterback performance after an SRC. There is also evidence that SRCs decrease neurocognitive performance, a quality that is crucial, especially for quarterbacks. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine changes in NFL quarterback performances upon return to play from an SRC. Method: Quarterback ratings (QBRs) and concussion data from 2012-2015 were used to determine if changes occurred in NFL quarterback performance following an SRC. Results: QBRs decreased by 13.3 points (p = 0.014) after quarterbacks return from an SRC. Conclusions: Changes in on-field performance for NFL quarterbacks after sustaining an SRC could be the result of neurocognitive decrements that impact quick reaction and decision-making skills, which may have greater impacts on quarterbacks than other positions.

Brain Injuries in American Football: Understanding the Injury, Difficulty in Helmet Optimization, and Current Communication Practices – A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Kali M. Sebastian ◽  
Reuben F. Burch V ◽  
Preston “Stick” Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Past Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
American Football ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
History Of ◽  
External Forces ◽  
The Brain

Background: Over 2.7 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) annually in the United States. TBI involves the application and generation of external forces and impulse loads respectively to the head whereby the brain moves relative to the skull. Despite numerous studies, further understanding of TBIs is necessary, requiring consistent attention. Objective: The purpose of this article is to investigate the history of American football helmets and provide an academic and practitioner review as it relates to TBIs. This study is a literature review that also considers perspectives from an autoethnographic frame. Method: An extensive literature review was performed to assess the history of TBI as it relates to American football. This article evaluates helmet design optimization and American football safety as well as an exploration into the sports’ education methods for players and staff alike. Results: Despite developing helmet designs that can better attenuate impact forces, reducing linear and rotational movement, the skull and brain move very differently relative to one another. Helmet designs and tools for measuring forces require further validation techniques to determine resultant forces and movement for the brain. Current biomechanics research lacks sufficient methodology for defining TBI thresholds, making helmet optimization difficult. Conclusion: According to past research, no helmet can eliminate all TBI risk; however, processes are in place lead by the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association to educate players, coaches, and staff at all levels of competition of the protective capabilities of available helmet options.

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