Chris Nowinski - Protecting Athletes from Head Injuries & Preventing CTE

Concussion management in sports has undergone significant changes, reflecting a cultural shift toward prioritizing player safety. Chris Nowinski, a leading figure in concussion research, provides insights into the evolution of concussion handling and the challenges that persist.

Significant Shift in Concussion Handling in Sports

A considerable transformation in the attention to concussions in sports aligns with an increased emphasis on the dangers and a changing perception of athlete toughness.

Discussion on Concussions Emphasizes Dangers, Prioritizing Player Safety Over Heroic Perceptions of Unconscious Athletes

Chris Nowinski illustrates a significant change in the discourse surrounding concussions. In the past, athletes were often glorified for playing through head injuries and even unconsciousness, but today's discussions stress the long-term dangers of concussions.

Nowinski comments on the Tuatanga Vailoa concussion cases, where Vailoa's observed head shake following a hit signified a potential concussion—a sign not previously recognized in the medical literature. This points to an evolution in understanding concussion symptoms and their indicators.

Cultural Shifts Require Medical Clearance Before Players Return From a Concussion

Nowinski's research has extended to identifying the "head shake" as a sign of a concussion. His survey intended to validate this by showing athletes video clips of the head shake resulting from hits. Results indicated that athletes frequently manifested this response to concussion symptoms, though it was not immediately recorded, potentially occurring on the sidelines or in the locker room.

A cultural shift now necessitates medical clearance before athletes re-enter the game, a move to ensure their health and safety.

Challenges In Reporting and Managing Concussions in Sports

Despite advancements, challenges remain in reporting concussions and managing athlete health, influenced by the culture within sports and the efficacy of equipment.

Players May Underreport Concussions Due to Job Loss Fears or Wanting to Appear Tough

Nowinski acknowledges a prevalent trend of underreporting concussions among players. Athletes often fear reputational damage — being labeled as not tough — and job loss, which deters them from report ...

The difficulty in diagnosing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and the lack of recognition from professional athletic organizations present challenges in understanding and treating this neurodegenerative disease.

Cte Is a Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnosed Post-Mortem After Repeated Head Injuries

Chris Nowinski notes that CTE can currently only be diagnosed after death, casting a dark cloud over individuals who are potentially at risk. Most importantly, this limitation hampers clinical trials and prevents the development of treatments for those living with the potential effects of CTE.

Researchers Create Brain Bank For Cte Study, Diagnosis in Living Individuals Remains Elusive

To combat this, Nowinski helped establish a CTE center and a Brain Bank at Boston University in 2008. The Brain Bank, which has since grown to 1,650 brains, is pivotal in advancing the understanding of CTE. Nowinski reveals that almost 90% of the world's CTE cases are held within his research group, emphasizing the need for broadened CTE research efforts.

The relationship between concussions and CTE is indicated through discussions on ongoing research into concussion symptoms and phenomena such as the "head shake." However, there is no direct mention of subconcussive impacts in this content chunk.

Uncertainty in Cte Diagnosis Hinders Understanding and Treatment Development

Because CTE cannot be conclusively diagnosed in living individuals, there is significant unc ...

Jay Ruderman discusses Chris Nowinski's journey from being an athlete to becoming an advocate for brain injury awareness. Nowinski's personal struggles with concussions have deeply influenced his pursuit to improve concussion research and understanding.

Chris Nowinski's Concussions and Brain Injuries Fueled His Advocacy For Concussion Research and Awareness

Nowinski, who played football at Harvard before transitioning to WWE as a wrestler, suffered a severe concussion which led to sleepwalking incidents, including one where he dove into a wall. This injury ultimately led to his retirement, and it catalyzed his life's work in brain injury awareness. He earned his PhD and founded his center to research and educate others about brain trauma.

Realizing the Lack of Concussion Education Motivated Nowinski to Act

His own experiences and observations about the lack of awareness regarding concussions in sports motivated Nowinski to initiate additions to concussion protocols and become an advocate. He recognized the educational gap within the football community regarding what causes CTE and the link between more years of play and an increased risk. Inspired by a suggestion from his doctor, Nowinski wrote a book, "Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis," to further educate on the issue and advocate for science-based concussion management.

Connections to High-Profile Brain Injury Cases Fueled Nowinski's Passion

Nowinski has become closely involved with members of the 1985 Chicago Bears team, many of whom have suffered brain-related health issues. He has seen the advocacy support from former players like Gary Fencik, and he has studied the brain of Dave Duerson, understanding its significance posthumously. Nowinski suggests that Steve McMichael's ALS may stem from CTE and acknowledges Jim McMahon's role in advocating despite his struggles. These connections reinforce Nowinski's passion for his cause.

Challenges In Building Community ...

Brain Injury Risks in Sports Persist, yet Athletes Play For Money and Identity

Athletes' Dilemma: Career Risks and Identity

Chris Nowinski delves into the issue that athletes often have their identities deeply entangled with their sport by the time they are informed of the potential risks, such as brain injuries. Quitting the sport or speaking out about these risks is especially challenging due to the high rewards at stake and the central role the sport plays in their lives. He outlines how athletes face incremental risks, accumulating years of play and exposure to injury by the time they reach professional levels, like the NFL.

Nowinski portrays professional athletes as somewhat victims of their circumstances, as the opportunity for significant earnings often coincides with a point in their career when they are already deeply involved in the sport. For some professional players, there's a mindset that if they may already have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), they might as well continue playing to secure financial stability for their families.

Informed Consent and Education Deficiency on Long-Term Brain Injury Consequences in Young Athletes Intensifies Ethical Dilemmas

Nowinski raises the issue of informed consent, noting that by the time players enter the NFL, they are aware of the risks of playing through concussions. Despite being informed, players often continue to play through injuries due to financial incentives. The nature of consent in football is further complicated by the fact that players usually start as children, without a full understanding of the risks, and continue to incur them throughout their careers. Additionally, there’s a pervasive culture that stigmatizes quitting, leaving players with a difficult decision despite being informed of the risks.

Financial Interests and Incentives of Leagues, Teams, and Media Maintain Barriers to ...