By Kevin Agostinelli, staff reporter
* This is an article written by Kevin Agostinelli that was sent to the Cape Cod Times for the local newspaper’s Classroom Times writing contest.
Can you imagine high school soccer players wearing padded headgear during games? This idea might seem far-fetched, but as concussions in high school soccer have become more frequent – the concussion rate has increased 15% each year since 2005 – mandatory headgear is something that the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) must seriously consider. According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy, high school soccer players had more concussions in 2010 than basketball, wrestling, and softball players combined. In order to diminish the epidemic of concussions in high school soccer, the MIAA should institute mandatory headgear.
In soccer, concussions can occur from head-to-head contact, head-to-ground contact, and head-to-body contact. The soccer headgear currently being developed is different from the headgear in football or hockey in that it resembles an enlarged, foam-padded headband, covering the forehead, temples, and occipital bone in back of the head.
Fortunately, the MIAA has already taken steps to encourage concussion awareness and treatment by educating schools, coaches, parents, and soccer officials, as well as by implementing baseline concussion testing. Additionally, parents are given a checklist which a doctor must sign before any recuperating player can return. However, the MIAA has not yet established any rules which will prevent increasing concussion rates.
This is where mandatory headgear comes in. Of course, high school players now have the option to wear headgear, but until all players are forced to protect their heads, the use of headgear will not become widespread. Most players will not choose headgear if they believe it might give them a disadvantage in terms of vision or speed.
Supporters of the status quo argue that headgear would be detrimental because it would give players a false sense of security. Some worry that headgear would actually increase the concussion rate because of the possibility of players acting unusually aggressively. Others point to the fact that concussion rates in hockey and football have not improved much since the institution of concussion helmets. People fear that this false sense of security might lead players to eschew prompt medical evaluation after suffering head injuries.
Despite these arguments, it is clear that the benefits of headgear outweigh possible drawbacks. In response to the argument that players might act unusually aggressively, one can note that the institution of shin guards in 1990 did not negatively impact soccer. The theory that players may not seek proper medical evaluation is flawed since everyone is required to talk to a doctor after any head injury.
Although it is unknown exactly how much headgear would decrease concussion rates, there are many studies suggesting that mandatory headgear would have a positive effect. A recent study sponsored by FIFA’s sports medicine committee concluded that, while headgear has only a slight effect in head-to-ball impacts, it does provide a “measurable benefit” in head-to-head impacts, which are more frequent and more damaging. If the MIAA takes the first step in mandatory soccer headgear, the resulting success would spread across America, making high school soccer a safer and more enjoyable game.
* This is an article written by Kevin Agostinelli that was sent to the Cape Cod Times for the local newspaper’s Classroom Times writing contest.
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| Simple soccer headgear can reduce concussion rates. |
Fortunately, the MIAA has already taken steps to encourage concussion awareness and treatment by educating schools, coaches, parents, and soccer officials, as well as by implementing baseline concussion testing. Additionally, parents are given a checklist which a doctor must sign before any recuperating player can return. However, the MIAA has not yet established any rules which will prevent increasing concussion rates.
This is where mandatory headgear comes in. Of course, high school players now have the option to wear headgear, but until all players are forced to protect their heads, the use of headgear will not become widespread. Most players will not choose headgear if they believe it might give them a disadvantage in terms of vision or speed.
Supporters of the status quo argue that headgear would be detrimental because it would give players a false sense of security. Some worry that headgear would actually increase the concussion rate because of the possibility of players acting unusually aggressively. Others point to the fact that concussion rates in hockey and football have not improved much since the institution of concussion helmets. People fear that this false sense of security might lead players to eschew prompt medical evaluation after suffering head injuries.
Despite these arguments, it is clear that the benefits of headgear outweigh possible drawbacks. In response to the argument that players might act unusually aggressively, one can note that the institution of shin guards in 1990 did not negatively impact soccer. The theory that players may not seek proper medical evaluation is flawed since everyone is required to talk to a doctor after any head injury.
Although it is unknown exactly how much headgear would decrease concussion rates, there are many studies suggesting that mandatory headgear would have a positive effect. A recent study sponsored by FIFA’s sports medicine committee concluded that, while headgear has only a slight effect in head-to-ball impacts, it does provide a “measurable benefit” in head-to-head impacts, which are more frequent and more damaging. If the MIAA takes the first step in mandatory soccer headgear, the resulting success would spread across America, making high school soccer a safer and more enjoyable game.
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