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December 12, 2014
Q. Why is it so hard to stop sports concussions?
A. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 62 percent increase in traumatic brain injuries from 2001 to 2009, says kinesiologist Stephen Piazza in American Scientist magazine. Cyclists accounted for the biggest number of these, followed by football, soccer and basketball players. Football gained much attention early last century, due to many fractured skulls, concussions and other head trauma brought on by frequent pileups and scrambles for the ball “punctuated by players kicking opponents in the gut or the head.” At least 45 players died from 1900-1905. These injury and death rates fell soon afterward largely owing to modified behavior, with new rules providing for the forward pass and an increase to 10 yards for a first down.
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