(WTRF) The 2024 Super Bowl will likely inspire some young Ohio Valley athletes to achieve greatness on the field.
But for years, doctors have said repeated head injuries can quickly sideline a career and lead to lifelong health problems.
Reporter Eric Minor traveled to Morgantown where researchers are on the cutting edge of helping injured players safely get back in the game.
At WVU Medicine’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Javier Cardenas and a team of specialists is researching and rehabilitating people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
He’s also the vice-chair of the National Football League’s head, neck and spine committee and has been involved with the NFL since 2013.
“I do it in part because it allows me to take this knowledge and information to other populations that don’t have the opportunity.”
Dr. Javier Cardenas
This is where safety innovations initiated at the pro level are making their way to patients all over our state.
“Exercise, physical activity is healthy for the brain. It actually helps in the recovery. So as long as we’re not putting someone at risk to hit their head again, it’s safe to do. And that’s information that we’ve learned as high as the professional level, but able to apply it to groups that don’t have the opportunity.”
Dr. Javier Cardenas
Sports is just part of the story. There is a three-pronged approach…youth athletes, domestic violence survivors and first responders.
Biologists are looking for markers in the blood and saliva that can speed up a diagnosis. Engineers and material scientists are constantly working on building a better helmet. And committees at the professional level are leading policy and practice changes aimed at making the game safer at every level.
