Girls Soccer, Not Football, Holds The Highest Risk Of Concussions

Soccer is big business, with parents shelling out as much as $2,000/year for club fees.  This multi-billion industry is promoting safety to the parents by touting soccer as a 'non-contact' sport and a 'safe alternative' to football and other contact sports.  But it's not, according to concussion stats that report high school football proportion of concussions is 47.1%, compared with soccer's 50% chance of concussion for females, according to the Sports Concussion Institute.  Parents and players know soccer is full of collisions, hits, impacts and injuries and need to protect their child's head because kids are reluctant to report a concussion for fear of missing games.  This is evidenced by soccer concussions soaring 1,600%, according to a study published in the Medical Journal Pediatrics.

The doctor-recommended Unequal HALO® is patented supplemental head protection for soccer that reduces concussion risk.  HALO reduces up to 75% of the acceleration to the head by absorbing, dispersing, and dissipating energy, all of which reduces harmful acceleration to the head, reduces force, thus reducing risk.  HALO's cool design looks like a headband – but it's so much more.  HALO is made of a military grade soft composite that's been adapted for sports.  HALO is thin, lightweight, and fits comfortably on any head; just 'place & play.

Neurosurgeons warn that an unprotected bare head is vulnerable and defenseless against the severe blunt force trauma caused by impact with the ground, other players, goalposts, and high-speed soccer balls.  Such was the case with Ali Krieger, a soccer phenom, World Cup Champion and US Olympic team player.  Ali hit her head and suffered a second concussion right before the 2015 World Cup Games.  Her coach recommended she wear an Unequal Halo®, so Ali tried it in practice, liked it so she wore the Halo in the games and did not suffer another concussion.  US won the 2015 World Cup and Ali calls the Unequal Halo her "lucky charm."

Unequal customers are proactive parents and concerned coaches that decided to protect their kids, as well as soccer players that suffered a concussion and their doctor or coach will not clear them to play unless they wear head protection.  Sadly, it took a severe head injury to make them wear protection.  Unfortunately, the future potential of concussed players is disadvantaged because they will likely experience lengthy school absences, declines in short and long-term memory, increased intracortical inhibition, limited study capabilities, and reduced cognitive skills, as well as be 40% more likely to incur another concussion.

Briana Scurry, Olympic Gold Medal and World Cup Goalie, said, "It's absurd soccer leagues mandate protection for the shins – but not the head.  Why not both?  Isn't the head more crucial?"  This resistance to head protection is futile because it will eventually happen as a result of jury awards from lawsuits citing coaches and trainers 'Duty of Care' doctrine.

Unequal headgear can reduce concussion risk and here's the science.  The British Journal of Sports Medicine published a report entitled, "The Effect of Protective Headgear on Head Injuries and Concussions in Adolescent," by Dr. J. Scott Delaney, a medical doctor and the Research Director of Emergency Medicine at the MUHC, found the risk of concussion was 2.65 times higher for players who were not protected by headgear.

The 'Official Journal for the Society of Academic of Emergency Medicine,' published, "Does soccer headgear attenuate the impact when heading a soccer ball?" by Dr. Rosanne S. Naunheim, MD, concluded that currently available headgear for soccer heading shows statistically significant decreases are present at the highest speeds (26 mph and 34 mph), suggesting that headgear may play a role in decreasing impact for more forceful blows.  This is relevant considering soccer ball speeds range from 30 - 67 mph, according to "Biomechanical Characteristics and Determinants of Instep Soccer Kick," by Professor Kellis, PhD, published in the 'Journal of Sports Science and Medicine.

Consider the data and the concussion risks of football vs. Soccer:

1.  Impact Speeds.

• Professional boxers punch - 20 mph.
• Football player tackling a stationary player - 25mph.
• Soccer ball being headed by a player - 70mph.

2.  Causes of Concussions.

• Football     (i) head to head;  (ii) head to ground;  (iii) head to body;  and (iv) head to post.
• Soccer:      (i) head to head;  (ii) head to ground;  (iii) head to post;  (iv) head to ball.

3.  Head Protection. 

• Football players are required to wear a helmet.
• Soccer players are not required to wear head protection. 

4.  Sub-concussive Impacts.

• At present, it has been suggested that exposure to repetitive, sub-concussive events may result in persistent cognitive or motor impairments, and behavioral changes associated to long-term neurophysiological changes due to cumulative effects.  Moreover, there have been suggestions of the possibility that high numbers of repetitive sub-concussions, more than concussions, contributes to increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's or chronic traumatic encephalopathy according to, "The Neurophysiological Response Following Sub-Concussive Soccer Heading."
• The study entitled, "Evidence for Acute Electrophysiological and Cognitive Changes Following Routine Soccer Heading," presents important novel data demonstrating presents important novel data demonstrating transient changes in neurophysiological function and cognitive performance following a single exposure repetitive sub-concussive head impacts via routine soccer heading.  Their data demonstrates that, despite showing no clinical signs or symptoms of concussion, repetitive impacts to the head from routine soccer heading increased intracortical inhibition, as well as performance outcome declines in short- and long-term memory.  This is the first time such changes have been reported.

About Unequal

Unequal's company mission is to protect people so they can perform at their peak in the military, sports, work, and life.  Its patented fusion of a military-grade composite made of TriDur^®, Accelleron®, Airilon® and ImpacShield® is engineered for customized, concealed protection.  Professionals in the NFL, MLB, NHL and X Games, as well as thousands of collegiate and youth athletes in football, baseball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, action sports, contact sports and other activities, wear Unequal's protective head and body gear. 

Unequal's technology is protected by 100+ worldwide patents with many more pending.  Its products have been tested by independent, accredited laboratories, OEM facilities and top universities.  An attendee at the White House Concussion Summit, Unequal is recognized as in Forbes' 100 Most Promising Companies, ESPN Top 15 Best Sports Innovations, #1 Tech Innovation by Esquire.com and winner DuPont™ Kevlar® Innovation Award. For more information, visit http://www.unequal.com    #unequalprotects

Media contact: Kelley DeVincentis, 973-650-7663, [email protected]

SOURCE Unequal Technologies

Related Links

http://www.Unequal.com