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WKEF-TV ABC 22 News :: News - Top Stories - Special Report: Concussion Prevention
Monday, November 12 2012, 07:27 AM EST
Special Report: Concussion Prevention
DAYTON -- As high school football heads toward the State Championship, some are questioning whether everything is being done to keep young players safe.

Concussions can have a serious effect on people of any age, but the danger is even greater for children playing the sometimes violent game.

"I had a head-to-head collision with another player," said Tyler Layer, 16-year-old former football player. "And I just fell back, hit my head and passed out."

Tyler's parents never thought his football career would end at 15 and with a head injury.

"They stood him in the corner with his feet together and closed his eyes. He couldn't even stand straight, he fell over," said Mike Layer, Tyler's father.

Tyler had to endure 10 weeks of therapy at Kettering Health Network's Neuro-Rehab and Balance Center.

"If you have a broken leg or a broken arm, you see it," said Renae Layer, Tyler's mother, "But a concussion you don't see the effects it has on the brain."

But for Doctor Tarun Goswami, professor at Wright State University, the problem lies with the helmets.

"The helmets are not designed to prevent concussion," he said.

Most school districts, such as Northmont, use the popular helmet manufacturer Riddell.

They have their helmets reconditioned every year, which is required by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, or NOCSAE.

We contacted Riddell, who says every reconditioned helmet goes through a 20-step process.

It includes "closely inspecting helmets for hairline cracks and any other defects."

Riddell promises it will not "recondition any helmets more than 10 years old or those that have experienced irreparable damage."

They ensure "no comprises, no shortcuts."

Once that's done, the helmet gets a sticker saying, "Meets NOCSAE Standard" and has been re-certified.

But for Dr. Goswami, it's not enough.

"What that stamp means is that that particular helmet was tested by the manufacturer," he said. "It does not require manufacturers to test every helmet that they make. Only a few helmets are tested per that standard, and that popular type of helmet is then stamped with their logo."

While the safety of helmets is questioned, one local coach tried to prevent concussions another way.

"We make sure that all the stuff we do in the weight room is kind of geared towards concussion prevention and injury prevention," said Lance Schneider, Northmont High School head football coach.

His players work out five days a week and train their neck, shoulder and back muscles to take a hit on the field.

He started the training in 2009.

"We saw a big decrease last year and then this year there's only two kids that have had concussions," he said.

Kettering-Fairmont Athletic Trainer Robin Lensch is one of many responsible for checking kids out on the sidelines after taking a hit.

"I talk to them, I'll ask them, I'll test their balance, I'll look into their eyes," she said.

She also knows when to send a player back into the game, and when to take them out.

"If there are any signs or symptoms of concussion those athletes will not go back on the playing field," said Lensch.

But even as coaches and trainers protect the kids, Dr. Goswami wants the rules changed.

"Educate the kids to not come in direct contact between the heads, that's one very important thing, and then double up new regulations that stops and there is punishment given if the kids go overboard and injure somebody," said Dr. Goswami.

And although Tyler is up and running a year later, you won't seen him on the football field.

"I made the choice because I didn't want to get any more concussions. I didn't want to injure my brain anymore than it had been," said Tyler.

Once you get a concussion it's easier to get another.

So as physicians caution athletes, so does Tyler.

"If you love something just try to continue on with it as much as you can because you never know when it can be just taken away from you," he said.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has proposed federal regulation that would create new youth-focused safety standards. It has yet to be voted on.Special Report: Concussion Prevention

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