Long-term Effect of Cumulative Concussions

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 29: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles lies on the field after suffering a concussion as tight end Brent Celek #87, quarterback Donovan McNabb #5, and offensive tackle Jamaal Jackson #67 stand by during a game against the Washington Redskins on November 29, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 27-24. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

So as part of the research for my paper I wanted to understand more about the cumulative effect concussions can have on an individual. I have always heard that the more concussions received, the worse off a person can be. I had no real scientific proof to back this idea up, but now I can say that all of my suspicions were true.  
What this article focused on was two different groups of individuals. These were individuals that had one-two concussions, and the other consisting of individuals having three or more concussions. What the researchers were looking for was the effect that cumulative concussions had on the working memory of an individual. Their findings I thought were quite startling, especially so because I am a member of the group that has had multiple concussions. What they unfortunately found was a strong correlation between cumulative concussions in sports, and severely decreased working memory. This working memory was found to be strongly correlated with the decrease of the visual memory within the mind. So the ability to visually store and bring back about memories in this manner are severely altered by concussions. Also what they found was that the more concussions an individual receives, the worse the effects can be. An individual that has received a concussion initially, having a history of concussions, tends to have severe symptoms right away and the time of recovery is much longer.
So the  conclusion of this study was that cumulative concussions cause more severe effects within that individual. Also that the effects that are had on the working memory tend to be progressive, and get worse with the age of the individual. Sadly this is the truth, and the reason as to why concussion awareness must be made.