Mrs. Penny Hartley
ENG112394D2
8 April 2016
The Benefit of High School Sports
Is Worth the Risk? With the increasing number of suicides among former NFL players linked to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, caused by repeated concussions, one has to ask, “Does the benefit of playing sports in high school outweigh the risk?” Participating in sports makes students feel a sense of belonging within their school. Being part of a team holds them accountable for their efforts at practice and during games. Daily practices give students something to occupy their time after school, limit opportunities for misbehavior, and teach time-management skills. Sports teach values that students cannot learn in the classroom, and they should …show more content…
The brain is protected by the skull and spinal fluid. These usually provide enough protection to cushion light hits to the head. A concussion happens when a person is hit hard enough to jolt the brain into the hard skull causing bruising and nerve damage. Concussions decrease normal brain activity. The sufferer can have a headache, feel dizzy, and be slightly confused. Symptoms immediately after the injury determine the severity of the concussion. For example, loss of consciousness and nausea would indicate a more severe concussion. The only cures for concussions are rest and time. It takes about two weeks for concussion symptoms to disappear. Not giving the brain time to heal after a concussion can have permanent damage including chronic headaches and concentration problems. Concussion problems compound when injured players are not honest about their symptoms. Some are afraid to tell their coach because they do not want to miss a chance to play. In addition, Weeks points out that concussions can cause suffering that increases for years after the initial injury. Adults who have had concussion injuries are three times more likely to commit suicide than adults who have not had …show more content…
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