The ubiquitous ‘ice bucket challenge’ originated in the US to raise funds for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal degenerative neurological condition.
The campaign has so far raised an incredible $110m from three million donors during the course of the summer.
In the States ALS has been loosely connected with athletes and sport since a professional baseball player died of the condition at the age of 37; indeed, the suggestion over many years was that taking part in contact sports or even vigorous exercise might contribute to the development of this fatal condition.
However two recent European studies indicate that exercise offers some protection against the onset of the disease.
One factor that did significantly increase the risk of developing ALS, however, was multiple hits to the head. Men and women who had sustained two concussions or other serious head injuries were much more likely to develop ALS than other people, including non-concussed athletes.
So concussion from all causes is an issue, but sticking with sporting theme and given the plethora of commentary on the long term effects of sports-related head injuries in recent months (such as football, American football, boxing and rugby), it seems that there’s yet another reason for international sporting bodies to agree and implement policies and treatment in respect head injuries.
Source article: New York Times
