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When the ball crashes, the head is often involved. The “concussion spotters” are also keeping a close eye on the women’s World Cup.
Referee – is this the final? That’s what Germany’s national player Christoph Kramer asked in the 2014 World Cup final after colliding with an opponent shortly before. Kramer continued to play for the time being, but was substituted after this question. The concussion was not recognized for the time being.
This is one of several examples. And so that there are no further examples of injuries that went unnoticed for the time being, the world football association Fifa has now reacted. The so-called “concussion spotters”, tested again and again in the past, will be used in all Fifa tournaments in the future. Also for the first time at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins on July 20.
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The “concussion spotters” are intended to help ensure that potential concussions are identified and treated quickly.
imago images/Sports Press Photo
The concussion detectives watch the game on the screen. If you discover a collision with a suspected head injury, call the team’s medical staff. This must take a closer look at the potential violation.
Paying close attention to the concussion is generally important because it can be a potentially serious injury.
This support from the “concussion spotters” is extremely important, says neurologist and sports neuroscientist Nina Feddermann: Because a concussion is a potentially serious injury. In addition, a concussion can also slow down reaction time and affect the eyes, which in turn increases the risk of other injuries.
Contact sport football not most affected
Feddermann has worked on protocols for FIFA on how to deal with head injuries. Even though football has taken longer than other contact sports to use concussion spotters, they take the matter very seriously, she says.
At the same time, she emphasizes that the frequency of head injuries in football is significantly lower than in rugby, American football or ice hockey. According to studies, 1.8 to 3.5 percent of all injuries in football are concussions.
Risk for women not fully researched
According to Feddermann, as in other sports, injuries in women’s football have not been studied as well as in men’s football. Among other things, there is a study that sees a far higher risk of concussions in women than in men.
A Swedish study, on the other hand, sees no significant difference in frequency, but women described more severe symptoms in the initial phase of a concussion.
According to Feddermann, possible reasons have not been finally clarified. Up for discussion are different neck-to-head ratios, differently developed muscles, but also hormonal factors or better self-perception in women. Further studies can help with prevention, but they will not prevent the collisions.