After we consider the chance of concussions in athletes, sports activities like soccer and hockey usually come to thoughts. However researchers have additionally been specializing in a unique sport: soccer.
Bruce Murray, a former soccer star who retired in 1995 after a number of concussions and collisions, is talking out about his personal struggles with reminiscence and why his days on the sector might have prompted chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Concussions have already been linked to CTE, however now researchers imagine smaller repetitive hits to the pinnacle may be accountable.
The stealth illness has no treatment and might solely be recognized after demise. Signs of CTE embody hassle with reminiscence, issues organizing and planning easy actions, and modifications in conduct, corresponding to lack of motivation or having a brief mood.
Murray, who was on the prime of his sport in 1990, stored a fame for being a fearless participant at Clemson College earlier than enjoying ahead for Workforce USA However his aggressive play generally left him seeing stars, together with throughout a match in Saudi Arabia, the place a Saudi participant’s knee caught him within the head.
“I used to be on my palms and knees, looking for the place my equilibrium was, however for the following six weeks to a month, I might go locations and never know why I used to be there,” he advised CBS Information’ chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.
Murray determined to lastly dangle up his sneakers at age 29 as he continued to expertise post-concussion signs like lack of sleep, complications and light-headedness.
“My physique simply felt crushed up,” he stated.
When CBS Information visited Murray and his household in Maryland two years in the past, he was troubled by current lapses in reminiscence, together with one which left him particularly shaken. He was in a automobile ready for his spouse and son to return from a retailer after they got here out and he did not instantly acknowledge his personal spouse, Lynn.
Due to Murray’s historical past of concussions, the couple reached out to Boston College’s heart for power traumatic encephalopathy, often known as the CTE Heart. Since CTE can solely be recognized after demise, researchers scanned Murray’s head for clues, and so they discovered one: his mind tissue had atrophied, or shrunk.
Dr. Ann McKee, director of the CTE Heart, has examined the brains of a whole lot of deceased veterans and athletes, together with soccer participant Aaron Hernandez, who died by suicide whereas serving a life sentence for homicide. She stated concussions are not the only cause of CTEand warns that harm from asymptomatic hits might accumulate over time and result in a better threat for CTE.
McKee says the chance of head trauma from heading a soccer ball is regarding and that “there’s an argument for taking heading out of soccer.” An estimated 13 million youngsters play soccer in america, and McKee believes extra must be achieved to protect athletes of all ages,
“These balls are coming from an awesome distance at an amazing velocity, and that impacts the pinnacle and results in these accidents afterward,” she stated.
US Soccer, which governs the game from kindergarten by means of the elite stage, has intensive concussion protocols, and it bans or limits headers in youngsters 13 and youthful. However relating to sub-concussive hits in older gamers, US Soccer advised CBS Information it’s awaiting extra analysis. The group declined our request for an on-camera interview.
Murray stated his situation seems to be secure, however he continues to battle with reminiscence, focus and steadiness. He nonetheless enjoys teaching youth soccer, however believes the game he loves might have modifications to make it safer for everybody.
“I feel US Soccer wants to handle this,” Murray stated. “It is referred to as soccer all around the globe. What when you rewrote the principles? Do you must head the ball?”