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Retired
German soccer goalkeeper, Tim Wiese, may be about to become a wrestler.
He's made his debut appearance as a guest timekeeper. But is he wise to
do it? Doctors would probably advise against - here's why.
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Brain injuries: not the exception
Fancy becoming a professional wrestler? You might want to rethink that
plan. There is research that shows the brains of some wrestlers have
been seriously damaged - thanks to repeated head injuries. When Canadian
wrestler Chris Benoit died at the age of 40, doctors found his brain was
so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's
patient. |
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Punch-drunk syndrom
Doctors have a name for the illness: chronic boxer's encephalopathy - or
punch-drunk symptom. This happens when a sufferer has received repeated
concussive blows, resulting in irreversible damage. That's problems with
memory, loss of speech, suicidal thoughts and ultimately dementia.
Professional boxers are also at risk. |
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A range of sports
But chronic boxer's encephalopathy is not restricted to boxers. It is
very common in American Football players as well. According to the
journal "Science," the average National Football League player gets more
than 600 helmet hits a season. Even hard-shelled helmets can't prevent
concussion under such circumstances. |
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Hard as ice
If you want to avoid brain damage, you should also avoid playing hockey:
some hockey players have been diagnosed with the disease. The problem
with multiple head collisions - accidental or otherwise - is that they
lead to an accumulation of dangerous proteins inside the brain. |
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Mind your head!
You might not think of it, but even soccer players can be at risk - when
they jump for a header. The forces experienced may seem harmless
compared to the brutal hits during an American football or hockey game.
But the problem is it all adds up.
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