Contact sports are one of the many things that define America. Many students across America begin playing contact sports at a very young age. When playing these contact sports, the risk of concussion is high. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that can lead to more severe brain injuries and in some cases death or permanent disability. Through multiple forms of research and study, the effects of contact sports up to the professional level are examined, how they are extremely dangerous and require greater awareness towards player safety. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay A concussion is a violent shaking or shaking of the brain. The most severe level of disturbance would involve a temporary loss of consciousness due to a strong blow to the head. With loss of consciousness, a concussion is then considered a traumatic brain injury, and if severe enough, the injury could result in severed nerve fibers and neurons. To identify a concussion, there are many signs and symptoms to look for including, but not limited to, headache, motor dysfunction, distorted sensory abilities, hypersensitivity, and cognitive impairment. With all these signs and symptoms, there is one more that is a determining factor for a concussion which would be amnesia. Amnesia is classified into two categories when related to a concussion which is retrograde and anterograde. Those who experience them have difficulty forming new memories or loss of the ability to recall past information and memories. Concussion rates vary by age and gender. Children and adolescents account for approximately 70% of sports-related injuries. When it comes to the gender aspect of the statistics, the causes of traumatic brain injuries are diverse. For men, the top three accidents occur in cycling, football and basketball, while for women the top three are cycling, playground activities and horse riding. Females are more prone to concussions than males. Traumatic brain injuries usually end with a visit to the emergency room. Of all age groups who visit the emergency room, children have the highest rate of suffering a traumatic brain injury. According to "Concussions and Sports," athletics is the most common way to acquire a concussion or traumatic brain injury. For many, suffering a concussion has no significance other than the fact that it renders the person unable to participate. What most athletes don't know is the risk they take when they try to participate before their symptoms have completely disappeared. Second impact syndrome, or SIS, occurs when an individual suffers a second concussion following a concussion in which the symptoms have not been completely eliminated, causing rapid swelling of the brain and can lead to many catastrophic events that can include death. SIS causes vascular congestion and increases pressure in the brain, which is often very difficult to contain. 69% of athletes played with symptoms of a possible concussion, and 40% of athletes with a concussion never informed their coaches, thus increasing the risk of second impact syndrome. As a kid, being a football player is the main goal for many during childhood. But with all the fun and enjoyment comes ruin. According to “Sports Related Head Injury,” the.