<p>we had a friend who had a stroke when using the treadmill for a stress test at the dr. He didn’t recover.
Still I realize exercise is better than not.
Playing football on skis isn’t exercise- that is just dumb.</p>
<p>“There are more soccer injuries than football injuries. Check with any ER Dept.”</p>
<p>Yes, that may be true, but severity is more of an issue than a sprain. American football with the use of a hard plastic helmet is very dangerous simply because it gives a false sense of security and tends to encourage (no matter how coaches teach against) the use of the head to strike an oppenent. </p>
<p>The reality is the more padding the more dangerous the play. Compare football’s origin Rugby. Very little in the way of protection, very little of the injuries experienced by American footballers. Simply because if you lead with your face(head up, classic football style) and tackle with your body centered, it hurts the tackler as much if not more than person tackled. Because you can put the “boots” to someone in rugby (illegal in football) scrapes, bruises and sometimes lacerations can occur. But as the old saying goes “bruises heal and chicks dig scars.” 
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<p>Played many team sports, injured in all. American football is the most dangerous to the head and spinal area.</p>
<p>My son’s wonderful prep school classmate died as a result of a football injury fall of senior year.
Ryan Shay, a top US marathoner, died last fall of a latent heart condition during the Olympic Marathon Trials.</p>
<p>I broke my knee snowblading (short skis) 14 months ago. I was on crutches most of last year but am back running/racing.</p>
<p>My son has been on the injured list for 2 1/2 years even with 2 knee surgeries. He is (was?) a competitive runner. We haven’t given up hope.</p>
<p>Yes, sports are not safe. Risk/benefit analysis. Sports are worth it. I am very glad I never had a kid who played football. It scares me to death.</p>
<p>“No one has ever sustained a concussion from properly heading a soccer ball (i.e. with the forehead / frontal bone). It is possible to sustain a concussion by being in the wrong place at the wrong time and inadvertently taking a hard shot to the side of the head by a kicked soccer ball from close range. Professional soccer players may sustain concussions due to head-to-head impacts or due to contacting the ground or the goalpost with their heads, but never from volitionally heading a soccer ball. Soccer headgear is unlikely to ever become popular.”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is the popular misconception.
Heading involves the speed of the ball, the distance it travels, as well as where it lands on the head of the receiving player. All these factors need to be considered. Yes, a player trained to interecept the ball properly is less likely to be injured, but there are many concussions.</p>
<p>However, it is not the one hit. It is the multiple hits that your brain sustains over many, many years, and the jarring of the brain within the skull. This type of very injury is very common amongst boxers. Mohammad Ali’s condition was related to his boxing.</p>
<p>Ruined knees, detached retinas, broken shin bones, broken vertebrae rank right up there with football injuries.</p>
<p>Soccer headgear is becoming popular. People never thought helmets for skiing, biking, and seatbelts would become popular.</p>
<p>Well, what’s the safest sport that still provides exercise and the other values of sports? Swimming, maybe?</p>
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<p>Sorry, but I must disagree to an extent. How much padding does a baseball or softball pitcher wear exactly? Oh, that’s right: NONE. I would consider that to be THE MOST dangerous position in all of sports. Yes, there are a lot of overuse injuries associated especially with a baseball pitcher, but my point is the ball hit right back at him/her. I don’t know about softball stats, but baseball it is unbelievable how fast those baseballs travel “back through the box.”</p>
<p>Football is dangerous. I agree. But done correctly, it is safe to tackle. Shoulders down; Head up. See what you hit.</p>
<p>Hops… it’s called a cup. It protects the gibbilies…</p>
<p>John Olerud wore a batters helmet in the field. </p>
<p>While it’s great you support baseball, the odds of being struck by a baseball vs. a tackle are quite a ways apart. One is a rareity, the other part of normal play. </p>
<p>football has far more wear and tear on the body, plus a greater risk on long term memmory issues. But if you want, I’ll pitch to you, see if you can hit me… then You stand in the pocket and I’ll tackle you… (I’m 6’7" 3 bills) which one will leave a mark? ;)</p>
<p>“Soccer headgear is becoming popular” </p>
<p>No not really. The full 90 people have made your arguement to sell their product to soccer moms across america.
I would guess that less than 1% of players (mostly female) wear the headgear. A few goal keepers wear a scrum cap because of the risk of hitting a post. After spending 30+ years in the sport as a player, coach and ref, the biggest cause of head injury in soccer is the ground. The real reason? most soccer are played on hardpan fields that without the spots here and there of grass have the same give as a paved parking lot. Usually every September when youth soccer is booming the main reason you are stopping play and taking a player off the field is because they’ve had a collision or fallen and struck their heads on a unforgiving surface. Full 90 would have better sales if they sold it as protection against hardpan fields, rather than the ball.</p>
<p>Sure it is a rarity, but it’s a risk and really it’s a bigger risk than people realize. And I’m not worried about taking a shot between the legs, but rather the kid’s face! I have read stories in the Cape Cod League a couple years back a pitcher took a linedrive off the face. He got to ride off the field in a MedEvac.</p>
<p>They have done studies (which I don’t have at this moment) but I believe they have found a baseball travels at approximately 105 MPH off of a wooden bat. Off of aluminum, you’re looking at upwards of 145 MPH! And remember the pitcher is less than 61 feet away; there is almost no reaction time.</p>
<p>We agree football is extremely dangerous and in all reality it could be considered downright unhealthy in the long term. If people disagree with that, I’d have to say they are stupid or VERY confused.</p>
<p>“Soccer headgear is becoming popular” </p>
<p>“No not really.”</p>
<p>Yes really. And I can’t think of any reason you would have to argue it, unless you are in Brazil or some other third world country.</p>
<p>Soccer fields today are lined with sand to drain the water, under a thick layer of grass. I’ve never seen the type of injury you are describing on such a surface.</p>
<p>Also, why would you want 90 people injured, if that is the only amount using the equipment? Parents of all children should be encouraged to promote and utilize any equipment to protect your child.</p>
<p>I agree 100% with Kluge on this. (Wow, what a concept. Hee Hee). The point is, just about everything in life has risk. Including walking across the street and getting hit by a car.</p>
<p>I know there are those that believe that they can minimize the risk by not being involved with certain activities; thus making it better all around. I don’t agree with this extreme however. 1st thing is; there are proper precautions that can be taken with any activity; including sports. There’s preparation, proper equipment; rules; etc… I wouldn’t let my son play tackle football without a helmet, pads, etc… I wouldn’t want them diving or swimming without another person available in case of an accident.</p>
<p>But just like people who are kept alive on life support, the question of “Quality of Life” is brought up. Even for those not in a coma, the same question applies. What good is life if you never get to do the things that you like to do. Can’t play sports; can’t mountain climb; won’t drive a car; won’t jog; won’t get a job working with electricity, chemicals, etc… The list goes on. Where is the quality of life? There is risk in everything. If you are interested in doing something, then use the proper equipment, exercise proper safety measures, and enjoy it. If something happens, then it happens. That TOO IS PART OF LIFE.</p>
<p>“Soccer headgear is becoming popular” </p>
<p>“No not really.”</p>
<p>“Yes really. And I can’t think of any reason you would have to argue it, unless you are in Brazil or some other third world country.”</p>
<p>Ow! why so mean? </p>
<p>“Soccer fields today are lined with sand to drain the water, under a thick layer of grass. I’ve never seen the type of injury you are describing on such a surface.”</p>
<p>Then you haven’t been to enough fields. I love field turf, more should be put in at schools and parks. Having worked to get soccer fields, it takes 15-20 years to do so. So most of the playing fields today were built a couple decades ago or longer. Most aren’t maintained well. If you are fortunate enough to train and play on a good surface, you are in the minority. </p>
<p>“Also, why would you want 90 people injured, if that is the only amount using the equipment? Parents of all children should be encouraged to promote and utilize any equipment to protect your child.”</p>
<p>Full 90 is the name of the company that sells the headgear. Could it be that I know alot more about the subject? 2004 sales of the “Full 90” headgear 100,000 units. Number of soccer players in the US 18 million. Number one customer female children under 12. Biggest group at risk for concussion HS and College aged players. </p>
<p>It’s a concept being sold to soccer moms. That’s why the soccer federations aren’t mandating it’s use. They allow it, but don’t require it. </p>
<p>Here’s some decent articles on the subject, a mixed bag of opinions. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/27/sports/soccer/27soccer.html?pagewanted=print&position=[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/27/sports/soccer/27soccer.html?pagewanted=print&position=</a></p>
<p>[The</a> Efficacy of Soccer Headgear](<a href=“http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=233175]The”>http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=233175)</p>
<p>[Soccer</a> world butting heads over new protective wear | Oakland Tribune | Find Articles at BNET.com](<a href=“http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20030629/ai_n14552528]Soccer”>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20030629/ai_n14552528)</p>
<p>The soccer head gear is basically a padded headband. It does not account or protect the nose, the jaw, the top of the head or the back of the head. Wouldn’t you agree that those areas are great concussion risks than the forehead (thickest part of the skull)? While it might help, it’s basically a groovey headband sold for $25-35 bucks. USSF, FIFA allow it at the referee’s descretion. Basically that decision is based on would the equipment be of harm to the player or other players on the pitch. </p>
<p>Not to be mean, but most of these studies and issues came up when full 90 came out with thier “product” and there has only been a few studies.</p>
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<p>And I agree 100% with Christcorp, which is also a thoroughly amazing concept. :)</p>
<p>I have to agree with Barney about soccer fields. The condition of many of the fields used for youth soccer is almost criminal. I have seen a number of injuries due to falls on rough fields.</p>
<p>This one kind of hit home with us as my daughter does the pole vault. She has a decent coach, but due to the very nature of the sport it is just not the safest. He can’t be waiting below her ready to catch her should things not go perfectly. She read an article about this in the newspaper this morning, and I hope she keeps it in her mind at her track meet today!</p>
<p>She did competitive gymnastics for many years, but she never did anything worse that sprain an ankle a bit. She was one of the lucky ones though, most of her teammates quit club gymnastics by the time they were a year or 2 into high school. Part of this was due to the time requirements, but much of it was due to injury and the desire to be able to walk when they were older. It is a sport she still loves, but it sure is tough on the competitors</p>
<p>Thanks Hunt, </p>
<p>I think there is sometimes a difference between what your eyes and experiences tell you and a study. Remember at one time smoking was good for you, based on studies… this is where we developed our healthy distrust of product pushers sponsoring “studies”. </p>
<p>A while back I had a mistress that I was involved in for a decade… youth soccer. My wife (bless her) knew if I was gone pretty much all weekend and several nights it was to be with my mistress. She didn’t always like it, but as one of the divorced expresso vendors told her one tournament …“you know, there’s a lot worse your husband could be doing with his time than this…heres what my ex did with his…” point was taken. </p>
<p>Now she has me all to herself…poor girl. All I do is make her do heading drills all day long without a Full 90 headgear… no water breaks either…</p>
<p>As a high school teacher, I was in a small group of teachers required to take first aid training: PE teachers, administrators, and lab science teachers. In ten years of teaching, I filled out TWO accident reports (a child allergic to ethanol who passed out during a lab using alcohol (who knew? good thing he didn’t try drinking!) and a mild burn to the hand). At the same small school, the PE teachers AVERAGED an incident report each week. </p>
<p>In a school with NO competitive sports (kids went to other schools to play). Kids slipped on mud, tripped over each other, got hit by thrown balls, developed exercise-induced asthma… One even collapsed a lung.</p>
<p>The CDC has done a study of (some) high school sports. <a href=“http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5538a1.htm[/url]”>http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5538a1.htm</a>
Football has the highest injury rate, softball/baseball the lowest.</p>
<p>Children’s Hospital in Boston has another study: <a href=“http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1112/mainpageS1112P0.html[/url]”>http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1112/mainpageS1112P0.html</a>
This one has bicycling as the most dangerous and football next.</p>
<p>Pole vault - I wonder if the kid in Walla Walla was wearing a helmet. Our hs vaulter’s are required to wear helmets.
A Penn State Pole Vaulter died a couple of years ago from a pole vaulting accident.
Soccer - yep dangerous. I have seen many injuries - our hs keeper one year was kicked in a sensitive area and nearly became sterile. He was hospitilzed with trauma to the testicle. Fortunately removal was not required but it was a serious emergency.
When my girls were playing little league a 8 year old boy was killed in our area - hit by a pitched ball. tragic.</p>
<p>Mine played field hockey - hard plastic ball and no safety gear sans shin guards. Very dangerous. The balls just don’t stay on the ground. I witnessed not only concussions but facial lacerations requiring plastic surgery, dislocated knees, broken noses. Many parents went to both home and away games - just in case.</p>
<p>After years of field hockey, soccer and basketball one of mine goes out for track - injury free until 11th grade - had never left a game but leaned into the finish line and fell on her knees. Fortunately it was an all weather track but she was still hurt pretty badly - blunt force trauma to her patella. I thought running in a straight line for 100 yards down a track was safe. Silly me. (She did beat the other girl though )
I wonder if football has the highest injury rate because the teams all have trainers and many coaches - more injuries are reported. A football player died on the field in our county a couple of years ago though.</p>
<p>The real question is - how dangerous is NOT playing athletics? More dangerous than playing - IMO.</p>
<p>Barnie, it seems like you are arguing my point for me. My point is that head gear should be worn by soccer players. Your point is that it is not, because the fields are too hard. If the fields you use are so hard, that is more of a reason to use head gear.</p>
<p>The literature is full of the effects of repetitive head injuries on brains of any age. There is a movement (A BIG ONE) to remove heading from the sport of soccer completely. I am sure you can find it by googling.</p>
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<p>While this is a good point, I know the National Athletic Trainers Association did a study a few years back regarding injury rates and all of their information came from certified athletic trainers at the particular high schools. Don’t know about the links above…</p>
<p>Another point I’d like to make is the “trainers” posters keep referring to are (or should be at least) certified athletic trainers and should be referred to as “Certified Athletic Trainer” or “Athletic Trainer.” A major magazine last summer made the mistake of the education required to become an athletic trainer when they were in fact referring to a personal trainer. There is a big difference! All Athletic Trainers could be Personal Trainers, but not all Personal Trainers could be Athletic Trainers. :)</p>