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IMPACT
FORGETTING THE DANGERS OF CONTACT SPORTS
Are those who play contact sports suitably aware of the dangers to their long term mental health? Is the evidence linking head injuries and dementia definitive? Impact’s Cora-Laine Moynihan answers these questions and more in her exploration of a topic often forgotten about. It’s the seventh round of your fight. You’re full of adrenaline, your hands are sweating, and saliva’s overflowing from your gum shield. Then, it goes awry. The opposition connects their glove with your head, again and again and again. And you just wait it out, defending until an opportunity opens for you. It’s a free kick and you sure as hell aren’t letting that ball pass your team’s wall. The opposition take their kick and your feet come off the ground. The ball is heading your way and you’re there to meet it, colliding against it with your skull. It’s almost half-time and you’re so close to the try-line, the ball’s in the air flying down just in front of you. There is no stopping you until you catch that pass and two arms wrap around your thighs, sending you sideways to the ground where your head greets the grass first.
