Although football has been in the limelight for concussions for the past several years, many are surprised to learn it is not the number one sport for concussions. That top honor actually goes to bicycling. Here are the top ten sports for concussions:
- Bicycling
- Football
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Water sports-diving, surfing, water skiing
- Off road sports on powered vehicles such as ATVs
- Soccer
- Skateboarding and scootering
- Accidents in gyms and health clubs
- Winter sports-skiing, snowboarding, sledding
So should I just wear a helmet? Yes and no.
A helmet can cushion your head in sports or other activities. It works like a shock absorber, reducing the speed of the head and therefore reducing the energy transferred to the brain. A helmet is not a 100% guarantee that you will not receive a brain injury, but it gives you protection that may turn a lethal blow into a survivable one. Whatever your sport, make sure you invest in the best helmet you can: look for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) technology. Helmets certified by Snell or the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech are approved. You can get more information by going to Helmets.org.