Dementia in Football.

[Catrin]

I think it is a matter of momentum, so a combination of the speed of the ball and its mass. And the frequency of heading. Seems to be affecting mostly central defenders and big target men.

[Buzzo]

I think a lot of it remains unproven and an only be proven in autopsy. CTE is repeated trauma of the brain moving within the skull, driven by impact ( <- my understanding)

I think the issue is specifically higher for that generation who played and more importantly trained before there was any understanding of player safety.

The guys in the 60’s and 70’s were playing and training with heavy leather footballs that became heavier with cold or water. They played a style of football that involved heading the ball a lot more (although it would appear we are returning to this!) and therefore training on heading a lot more.

[vlahka]

My dad has dementia and he never headed a ball in his life. Mind you I've headed a ball a few times and I'm thoroughly dense.

[Buzzo]

Yeah it’s not that dementia is exclusively associated to footballers but that a high percentage of ex pros develop dementia at a relatively young age age.

[Angryred]

Dementia comes in all forms so to generalise it probably doesn't do it any favours.

Ex Footballers & more so Ex Boxers are prone to CTE as mentioned above whereas the likes of Picks Syndrome or Lewy Body are found in those who have been exposed to high forms of radiation like high power lines or chemicals from construction materials such as asbestos or cement. It's not proven yet but the sinuations are out there as too many cases of these happening.
My old man was diagnsed with Picks Syndrome in his early 50's & he worked all his life as a Senior Linesman for the electricity supply board over here in Ireland. there has been a good few cases reported of others who worked for the ESB diagnosed with Picks Syndrome in their 50s or earlier.
My uncles who have worked in Construction & Cement suppliers have Lewy Body, my father in law had to retire early due to a stroke which was later put to Lewy Body.

Just by talking to others who have had their fathers & other siblings, you bet that you can paint a grim picture there & I'm sure that employers responsible along with the Health & Safety authorities are probably sitting on the findings which will have scared them. The legal implications of those reports getting out will probably bankrupt them with cases brought against them.

[Buzzo]

100%

It is a brutal illness to witness….

And agree on the scale of the findings being something that most sports will want to sweep under the carpet.

[Tatterdemalion]

Dementia comes in all forms so to generalise it probably doesn't do it any favours.

Ex Footballers & more so Ex Boxers are prone to CTE as mentioned above whereas the likes of Picks Syndrome or Lewy Body are found in those who have been exposed to high forms of radiation like high power lines or chemicals from construction materials such as asbestos or cement. It's not proven yet but the sinuations are out there as too many cases of these happening.
My old man was diagnsed with Picks Syndrome in his early 50's & he worked all his life as a Senior Linesman for the electricity supply board over here in Ireland. there has been a good few cases reported of others who worked for the ESB diagnosed with Picks Syndrome in their 50s or earlier.
My uncles who have worked in Construction & Cement suppliers have Lewy Body, my father in law had to retire early due to a stroke which was later put to Lewy Body.

Just by talking to others who have had their fathers & other siblings, you bet that you can paint a grim picture there & I'm sure that employers responsible along with the Health & Safety authorities are probably sitting on the findings which will have scared them. The legal implications of those reports getting out will probably bankrupt them with cases brought against them.

It's horrible that our economic system steals our youth and middle age and leaves us with the accumulated damage in old age.

[Buzzo]

Justified outrage.

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