Protection, prevention & education Concerns about sports injuries continue to grow

By Bella Yoakam & Troy Lipscomb SECTION EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

PHOTO | Bella Yoakam

When the Buffalo Bills played against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2, the Bill’s safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after a hit. The tackle postponed the game to a further date leaving both teams in shock. Sports injuries are a frequent occurrence, but the severity of this incident led to a bigger conversation.

In professional sports leagues, injuries are a given throughout the season, but opportunities for extensive care are provided. However, this type of care is not as available for younger athletes. Social studies teacher Logan Nadolski believes that middle and high school athletic environments should have access to the same level of medical practice and attention.

“I think that [Damar Hamlin] is just one story amongst so many occurrences that happen not only at professional level [sports], but in middle school, high school and college,” Nadolski said. “I feel like this probably happened thousands of times in high school and we just don't hear about it.”

Some people attribute a number of the injuries that occur to improper equipment, including sophomore hockey and field hockey player Nola Keith. She has had multiple injuries, and many of her teammates have had similar experiences. While Keith believes some injuries are inevitable, proper equipment can help decrease the number of injuries.

“Everyone gets hurt at least once," Keith said. “If we had better fitting equipment and helmets [things might be different], but some of the [injuries] just come with the sport.”

Life changing injuries from contact sports, like ACL tears or concussions leave everlasting consequences

Not all major injuries have a quick recovery. Sophomore Nola Keith expresses that sometimes athletes continue to play even if they are not fully recovered. “You don't really make a full recovery,” Keith said. “Usually before you come back to the sport you're still kind of injured.” on an athlete's body. A concussion can be extremely detrimental to an athlete’s career, with long-term risk for an athlete to develop neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease according to the National Library of medicine. Father of athletes Sophia and Eva Borowski, Mike Borowski, is weary of the potential harm from injuries, and the impact they can have on his kids' lives.

“When Sophia got hit in the head with the field hockey ball I was scared,” Borowski said. “At first I didn't know how much it hurt because she is such a tough competitor, but when I was taking her to the hospital, I was very concerned. Seeing my daughter going through that [pain] made me very nervous to have her out there again.”

With mass numbers of injuries happening in sports, a heightened concern for athlete safety is becoming more prominent. Borowski expresses the need for proper preparation for contact sports in order to keep players like his children safe.

“Parents can help their kids with proper coaching,” Borowski said. “Having someone showing them how to use and protect their bodies keeps the player protected.”

Along with parental guidance, additional education for athletes can allow them to be protected. According to Nadolski, athletes need more training and education in order to stay safe.

“I think there needs to be more education provided to players before taking those sports seriously so they know what the dangers are of playing them,” Nadolski said.