LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CONCUSSIONS ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN RETIRED FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

Medically studying permanent cognitive outcomes from repeat concussions proves necessary because they happen often within football as well as similar athletic sports. This research examines the ongoing effects that head injuries inflict upon retired football players by analyzing the development of CTE and related effects on brain memory and processing ability and mood stability. Scientific findings reveal how brain structure modifications over time lead to early dementia but also trigger neurodegenerative diseases. Football players develop complete brain-related damage based on the cumulative impacts sustained at both intense and gentle levels throughout their sports careers. Research data indicates that we need improved guidelines for concussion management and preventative systems which will extend brain injury support beyond active sporting competitions. Athletic brain health requires complete solutions because findings demonstrate that players' mental competence demands protection after they stop playing sports. Analyses demonstrate that the frequent concussions affecting professional football players conclusively produce extensive negative impacts on brain performance. Multiple head impacts lead to the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) according to scientific evidence because this brain condition brings memory degradation alongside impaired judgment ability and executive function reduction. Sports athletes who stopped playing after multiple concussions encounter diminished learning memory capacity together with poor attention span along with reduced cognitive flexibility.