Health and Illness in Football Players
Football is a tough sport full of health risks to the participants. Injuries are common because there is a full contact in the game. It is not surprising that most players get injured even during the practice session. Illnesses as a result of this American game are triggered by multiple factors including body fractures, strains, severe concussions, joint dislocations and sprains (Muller 6). Specifically, concussions are increasingly becoming a concern as they raise chances of contraction of mental illnesses, for instance, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and dementia. Studies show that old football players are more prone to health risks and illnesses as compared to young players. Besides, coach experience is directly linkable to the health conditions of the players (Kerr et al. 379). The paper explores health and illness as an American subculture. It also consists of an interview with a former player.
Today, many people including players and coaches are beginning to question the safety of playing football. I interviewed Chris a 25-year-old football retiree. He quit at a tender age of 24 citing his growing concerns regarding his head injuries. ‘I do not want to die young because of neurological diseases’ he said, ‘I want to live a healthy and risk-free life just like everybody else’. Chris is a former student of the institution and he played for its football team during his high school and sophomore years. He is an only child in his family, thus his fears may be emanating from parent's concern for the loss of a lone son and a sole heir of vast wealth. Being from a business background, he is expected to take up the mantle from his father later on in life.
Health and Illness
Health refers to a state of completeness in physical, social and mental well-being. Health does not necessarily imply the absence of infirmity or a disease but a presence of either escalates the chances of its deterioration. It is the balanced bodily condition of living beings whereby harmonious and integral operation of important functions results in a normalized individual development (Huber et al. 4163).
On the other hand, an illness is a medical condition or a disorder affecting the functionality of a body part or an individual as a whole. Specified signs and symptoms indicate the type of illness that a victim is suffering. External factors such as infectious diseases can result in an ailment. Internal dysfunctions may result in autoimmune illnesses as well. Chris defined illness as any condition that results in distress, pain or death of a player. His definition was broad and included social problems as a symptom that football players are not in their right state of mind. He admitted that most sick players are unaware of their deteriorating health conditions. In fact, some of them object doctors’ recommendations on how to avert further health risks.
Healthcare Practices and Resources
Despite the fact that the US Chris believes that the performance enhancers contribute to failing health for most of the retired players. He gave an instance where a doctor handed him some pills that almost resulted in his nervous damage.
While most players earn more than enough to afford personal healthcare, some diseases such as mental trauma are hard to diagnose. As such, the diseases are mostly detectable at an advanced stage when little help can be accorded. Research is ongoing on ways to improve healthcare provision in the United States CTE before it can advance to deadly stages (Omalu et al. 45). Currently, though, CTE is only detectable when most of the patients are already dead.
Some football players agree to a brain donation for a scientific research after death. Studies from such reveal intricate details that add to the medical knowledge. In fact, most medical professionals argue that these studies have prompted the evident gradual improvement in healthcare provision to footballers resulting in diminished death rates since 1970. However, others attribute the developments to preventive measures that include an introduction of caged football helmets and scraping of wage formations. Others include the use of mouthguards, flak jackets, shoulder pads and cleats to prevent cases of concussions and injuries. Chris ’s ancestors are from India Scotland is of low standards as compared to the US Chris is from a middle income earning family thus he has an access to affordable healthcare.
Health Concerns and Circumstances
The greatest health concern for Chris is a catastrophic injury that may result in a fatality during practice or game time. He is aware of the volatile nature of football because he has witnessed several of his colleagues' careers end at an instance. He gave an example of one of his friends leading a miserable life after sustaining a hip joint fracture and dislocation thus crippling his ability to walk. His friend is not alone: research indicates that in 2000-2009, there were more than 35 deaths traceable to football. Up to 477 non-fatal injuries were sustained during the same period (Groundstein et al. 17).
Behaviors and Beliefs
There are beliefs that dietary food among the footballers enhances their health status. In addition, most of the players conduct exercises to keep their bodies fit for the game. On a negative note, use of performance enhancers and steroids by a few players harm their health in the long run. Furthermore, most football players intoxicate themselves with high-performance drugs and alcoholic contents due to a belief of invincibility (Lisha and Sussman 402).
Socio-Cultural Factors
Peer pressure among young footballers in America
Culturally Competent Health Care
To provide a culturally competent healthcare in the United States Chris and others on the health risk and potential ailments from playing football. They should be taught ways to exercise safety rules while in the field. Secondly, funding should be provided on research geared at sourcing ways to improve football health care provisions. In fact, modern facilities should be set up and fully equipped to help arrest rising cases of CTE and other illnesses (Harmon et al. 19). Lastly, young players should be sensitized on harmful effects of drugs, performance enhancers, and steroids.
Works Cited
Grundstein, Andrew J. United States
Kerr, Zachary Y., Stephen W. Marshall , and Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Lisha, Nadra E. , and Steve Sussman
Mueller, Frederick O. , and Bob Colgate University of North Carolina
Omalu, Bennet I. CTE ) in a National Football League Player: Case report and emerging medicolegal practice questions." Journal of Forensic Nursing 6.1 (2010): 40-46.
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