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The Game Changer

Keeping Your Head in Contact Sports

By Patrick R. Field, Kelsey L. Logan

The Game Changer


 

Abstract

This interrupted case study traces the football career of Anthony "Tony Tonka Truck" Williams, and the types of brain  trauma that he suffers from youth league through high school, college and his draft into the pros. In order to be successful during this case, readers will have to be familiar with the signs, symptoms, epidemiology and ramifications of concussions, Second Impact Syndrome, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Students will analyze and compare the differences between these three types of brain trauma and predict the outcome of Anthony's health based on symptoms and events given in each part. Although Anthony is fictional, the teaching notes include real examples of young men who have suffered or died as a result of these types of brain trauma and should be shared with the class. This case can be completed during one class session and is appropriate for upper level undergraduate and graduate courses in neuroscience, sports-related rehabilitation, and anatomy and physiology.

   

Date Posted

09/03/2016

Overview

Objectives

  • Discuss the signs and symptoms of concussions, SIS and CTE.
  • Analyze the implications and the dangerous health hazards that concussions, SIS, and CTE pose.
  • Apply knowledge of concussions, SIS, and CTE to an interrupted case study, evaluating the patient's signs and symptoms, exploring the health hazards of concussions, SIS, and CTE and learning how to avoid these types of injuries in the future.

Keywords

brain trauma; concussion; second impact syndrome; SIS; chronic traumatic encephalopathy; CTE; football; neuroscience; sports medicine; athletic training

  

Subject Headings

Anatomy
Medicine (General)
Neuroscience
Physiology
Sports Science

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division, Graduate, Clinical education

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Social issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

N/A, Dilemma/Decision, Discussion, Interrupted

 

 

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