Football-related spinal cord injuries among high school players - Louisiana, 1989
Article Abstract:
During the 1989 high school football season, the state of Louisiana reported four incidents of cervical spinal cord injuries in players. All injuries resulted in quadriplegia, and seemingly occurred in a similar manner. The injuries happened during evening games and were the result of tackling or blocking maneuvers in which the top of the player's helmet was used as the principal point of contact. These contacts develop the force along the spine in an axial manner. Previous research has shown that axial loading of the spinal column is the type of force that is most likely to produce injury that could result in quadriplegia. As a consequence of these injuries, the Louisiana Safety and Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has been formed to educate coaches and trainers about, among other things, the dangers of this technique of contact and how to tackle and block more safely. More than half of injuries reported by the National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry can be attributed to the use of the top of the helmet as the initial point of contact. This technique was ushered in with the modern design of helmets and facemasks, and in 1975 rules outlawing the intention use of the top of the helmet were adopted. Reasons for the 1989 increase in the number of spinal cord injuries in Louisiana are unknown. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Mortality Patterns--United States, 1997
Article Abstract:
In 1997, life expectancy at birth in the US reached 76.5 years, up 0.4 years from life expectancy in 1996. This is due in part to a decrease in mortality rates from the top three killers: heart disease, cancer, and stroke. There were 2,314,245 deaths in the US in 1997, which was 445 fewer than in 1996. Death rates decreased in all age groups except in those 85 years old or older. The overall age-adjusted death rate in 1997 was 479.1 per 100,000 people, the lowest rate ever recorded.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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Football mortality among boys
Article Abstract:
The article discusses the increase in the number of serious injuries and deaths resulting from football and suggests measures for preventing this.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2007
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