For several years there has been an ongoing debate towards professional athletes after they are through with their careers. As more and more professional athletes struggle after playing sometimes violent sports, researchers have begun to emerge on traumatic injury-related dementia suffered by former pro wrestlers, football players and boxers. Many doctors believe the cause of certain professional athletes dying prematurely is caused by the result of
Alzheimer’s. In fact research has show that Alzheimer’s is not the root cause of professional athletes dying or taking their own lives, but in fact the men actually suffered from a condition known as
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which has similar symptoms as Alzheimer's. But its cause is far different; it is repeated concussion injuries to the head leading to brain damage.
Doctors today do not know really how to treat or diagnose CTE. That means many of these athletes cases of CTE are never diagnosed. And that is important, because it means that patients are never treated properly,
and that potential new drugs to combat or hinder the dementia-related symptoms of CTE are never developed. This ultimately leads to athletes not being able to take care of themselves and in fact possibly becoming dangerous human beings and their families could be at risk. CTE is thought to initially impair normal brain functioning and eventually kills brain cells. CTE sufferers may display clinical symptoms such as memory impairment, emotional instability, erratic behavior, depression and problems with impulse control. A perfect and sad example was once professional wrestler Chris Benoit, who took not only his life but his wife and sons 3 years ago. Doctors determined he had high amounts of testosterone in his body and did not have proper brain functioning.
In recent posts, I have blogged about the benefits that come with physical activity and the effects it has on people’s aging. However this week, I have decided to focus more on the sport of football and the troubles players face post careers. Looking earlier on, in the 1970’s, the average NFL player lasted nearly or close to five years in the league. By around the mid 1980’s NFL players gradually made a transition to a three year stay. Partly because people are becoming more physically stronger, faster and when these athletes are pushing further limits they are able to exert more force into their opponents causing severe damage to a person’s body. According to the NFL Players Association. A vested NFL player (meaning they get their pension after retirement) has to play at least 4 years. So this makes it interesting for players to go above the average players
in the league and put more damage on their bodies so they are able to get this pension. I constantly hear stories of players who are considered veterans in the league who are unable to sit for long periods at a time because their bodies cramp up so they have to stand up and walk around for 20 plus minutes just so they don’t have problems. When you hear stories about these athletes it really shows they put a toll on their body and the aging process to make money and do what they love. It's a short stay for most and this is why you see athletes trying to get the most money from NFL owners.
