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Everyone knows when playing football, players wear helmets. Will soccer be next? 

In his front page article in the Fort Myers News-Press on Sunday October 26,  "Lasting Impact - Soccer latest sport tackling the concussion issue", journalist Seth Soffian reports on the issue and cites the case of Nate Ingham.  Nate suffered a concussion while playing soccer eight years ago. His next concussion was as goalie for the FGCU soccer team during a pre-season practice in 2013. Nate was knocked unconscious when a teammate's knee hit the side of his head.  Nate does not remember much of the year.

The rates of concussions among soccer players, according to the News-Press, are high "running alongside helmeted, fellow contact sports ice hockey and lacrosse and trailing only football."

High school girls and collegiate women ranked higher than boys and men in concussion rates according to a 2005-2006 study. The University of Washington reported that of the 351 girls aged 11-14 they surveyed, 59 had suffered concussions. Fort Myers physician, Jeff Richards said, "The girls' concussion rate is scary high," after studying data over recent years.

When playing soccer, players often have collisions, and "headers" are a part of the game. In addition to possible first concussions in a game, the danger of suffering "second-impact syndrome" (SIS), worries many. SIS is when a player returns to the game while still suffering from the initial concussion. Florida passed legislation that requires athletes who are suspected of suffering a concussion in practice or during a game be sidelined immediately.

The University of Washington study of young girls playing soccer further showed that 58 percent of players who suffered a concussion while playing continued to play.

What is a concussion: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says:

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

There is debate among soccer enthusiasts on whether helmets, or any form of head protection, should be used. The American Academy of Neurology does not believe that there is enough evidence to prove that wearing headgear while playing soccer will protect players from concussions. In spite of the debate, Cape Coral High School Athletic Director, Katie Plageman is erring on the side of caution by being the first high school in Lee County that provides padded headgear.

"The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has been compiling data on the injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures to specific sports. They have provided a compilation of their data as well as other information which should be of interest to those of you with children playing soccer and other competitive sports," says Lee County Brain Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. "It is important to learn the symptoms of concussions. Details will be found in a blog we previously posted, "If In Doubt - Sit It Out".

Lee County Brain Injury Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.