Effect of Sports-Related TBI on Human Psychology

BY HAILEY WAGNER

Outline

What a TBI is What a concussion is Mechanics of a concussion Symptoms Presence of TBI (mainly concussions) in organized sports Major effects on human psychology Controversy surrounding contact sports and concussions Benefits and rising need for sports psychologists and psychological resources for athletes Proposed plans for the future

What is a TBI?

TBI stands for “Traumatic Brain Injury” common TBIs in athletics are concussions

What is a concussion? “A traumatic injury to the brain as a result of a violent blow, shaking, or

spinning. A brain concussion can cause immediate and usually temporary impairment of brain function such as of thinking, vision, equilibrium and consciousness.”

Mechanics of a Concussion

picture courtesy of US Lacrosse

Occurs as a result of a violent blow to the head Inertia

Often a “Coup Contrecoup” impact In sports, several mechanisms of injury are

possible and common: Head-to-head collisions Head-to-object collisions Head-to-floor collisions Whiplash

Demonstration

General Symptoms

Cognitive Memory impairment Slowed processing

speed Impaired attention Confusion Appearing dazed

Physical Headache Fatigue Dizziness Sensitivity to noise or

light Postural instability Blurred vision Sleep disturbance

Emotional Depression Nervousness or

anxiety Irritability

Concussions in Organized Sports estimated 57 million people worldwide suffer from TBI (largely concussions)

CDC estimates 1.6 million and 3.8 million treated and untreated sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States, respectively.

► Very common and serious injury in both male and female youth, high school, and collegiate sports

► Often goes undiagnosed and untreated

► Not taken as seriously among athletes and even coaches

► “Take it for the team” mentality

► Arguably inadequate and inaccurate prevention measures are utilized by institutions

► “Sand-bagging”

Effects on Human Psychology: CTE

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Physical evidence of the disease discovered by Dr. Bennet Omalu Marked by the production of an abnormal protein in the brain called “tau”

“tau” proteins tangle around blood vessels, prevent normal function and may even kill neurons Result of repeated brain trauma (concussions) often seen in contact sports

Effects on Human Psychology: CTE

Symptoms arise on average at 42.8 years old Mood: depression, suicidality, irritability Behavior: exclusivity, violence, impulsivity Cognition: impaired memory, diminished concentration Motor: parkinsonism, dysarthria, gait changes, weakness

Linked to association and disposition to Alzheimer’s disease Dementia Major Depression

Controversy Due to TBI in Sports

Professional Sports 17% athletes with persisting neuropathological symptoms due to

repeated head injuries will develop CTE. 95.6% of deceased NFL players tested positive for CTE

Concussion Movie (add trailer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io6hPdC41RM

Sheds light on the issues which sports-related head injuries can unknowingly cause later in life as well as how the NFL failed to recognize

the seriousness of CTE. Youth contact sports What do you think?

Rising Need for Sport Psychologists

Helping to manage mental illness and its symptoms as they develop Perhaps deaths like Owen Thomas’s could have been prevented if he had the resources

and understanding to deal with his condition (although this may constitute hindsight bias)

Helping to identify the signs of such illnesses so further help can be sought. Not just for managing effects of TBI, for all athletes in general

Managing stress Identifying mental illness unrelated to TBI (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.) Improve their mindset, improve their game

Proposed Plans for the Future

Better concussion prevention Education on concussions for players, coaches, and general public More understanding of the risks of contact sports for lasting injuries More importance placed on mental/emotional healing, not just

physical/biological Resources for athletes after their careers who understand the special predisposition to

illness these professional careers may have and the identifying factors More research on CTE

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