Athletes can easily trick popular concussion test, study finds...
A baseline neurocognitive exam measures an athlete's cognitive function (e.g. his ability to think) before the season, generating a score to serve as a reference point (a "baseline" in the vernacular of concussion management) against which to compare scores on tests performed after a young athlete sustains a head injury in practice or game play. This has been the both goal and intent of Neuro cognitive testing. The reality has evolved to something very consistently different and tragic, as this is one of many studies that have come to this conclusion. This is a very a unfortunate reality in high contact sports. MSG has endorsed the IPAS technology that takes not only the athletes ability to skew the exam out of the equation, but additionally removes the subjectivity of those types of testing. Currently, they still have a role as we, as a medical community, continue to learn more about this crisis. A concussion is not an event, it is an evolving process. MSG remains dedicated to providing education to application of how individuals can avoid Brain injuries and concussions, in addition to how they can be more accurately diagnosed with precision. This data and knowledge will arm more health care providers with the tools they need to make all forms of high contacts sports a much safer environment.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/07/31/athletes-can-easily-trick-popular-concussion-test-study-finds/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d7d2430458a2
MOTORSPORTS SAFETY GROUP WELCOMES DR. LARA Carlson
MSG is very proud to announce another stellar addition to the group. Dr. Lara Carlson, Associate Professor in the College of Westbrook College of Health Professions at the University of New England, brings with her not only expertise across the entire landscape of strength conditioning and physiology in both the collegiate and professional ranks, but also studies she's guided that directly affects the performance of racer athletes. Holding positions on a number of prestigious boards, Dr. Carlson has given some of the most intriguing data driven talks across the country, including The International Council of Motorsports Sciences, NASCAR, and many others. She's described the “core-to-shell ratio”, related to body heat and the importance of effectively circulating blood volume. With strong ties to racing in addition to working with notable Indy car driver athletes, it was her relationship with her brother that fostered her initial interest, which has now blossomed in her becoming one of the top most sought after leaders in her specialty. We look forward to her scholarship as Motorsports Safety Group continues its united push in establishing the new standard for the safety in racing. WELCOME Dr. Carlson!
MSG - ARCA SAFETY INITIAIVE -MARCH: National Brain Awareness Month
TOLEDO, Ohio (March 16, 2018) -- With eight weeks off between the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona and the Music City 200 at Nashville, ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards teams, officials and sponsors all have the chance to regroup and prepare for what is going to be a busy season, the 66th consecutive for ARCA.
During this break, plans and preparations are underway by the Motorsports Safety Group regarding their continuing efforts to make ARCA, and racing in general, a safer place.
Dr. Jason Cormier, founder of the Motorsports Safety Group, would like to take this opportunity to let us know that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a national health recognition time that is near and dear to Dr. Cormier’s everyday job.
As a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Cormier spends most of his time away from the racetrack dealing with people who have severe brain and spine issues. Some of the issues are injury-related, and some are illness-related. In either case, the issues are critical, specific to the importance of the brain and spine functions in our everyday lives.
“Brain injuries can range in scope from mild to severe,” said Dr. Cormier. “Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to damage to the brain caused by an external physical force such as a car accident, a gunshot wound to the head, or a fall. A TBI is not caused by something internal such as a stroke or tumor, and does not include damage to the brain due to prolonged lack of oxygen (anoxic brain injuries). It is possible to have a TBI and never lose consciousness.”
Damage to brain tissue caused by an external force can cause at least one of the following:
- A documented loss of consciousness.
- The person cannot recall the actual traumatic event (amnesia).
- The person has a skull fracture, post-traumatic seizure, or an abnormal brain scan due to the trauma.
“While the symptoms associated with severe traumatic brain injury are much more obvious, the challenge is to recognize the symptoms of a more mild injury,” Cormier continued. “Immediate or delayed symptoms may include confusion, blurry vision and concentration difficulty.”
Statistics from Centers for Disease Control indicatethe leading cause of brain injury is falls (35%), followed by car crashes (17%) and being struck by an object (16%). Emergency room visits due to TBI caused by falls are increasing for both younger and older people. However, if you focus only on moderate to severe TBI (those injuries that require admission to a neurointensive care unit), car crashes are the most frequent cause of TBI, followed by gunshot wound, falls, sports injuries and assault.
“If you’ve experienced a blow to the head, or have had any of the symptoms related to head injury and concussion, I urge you to seek medical attention," Dr. Cormier said. “Leaving a head injury untreated can, and likely will, cause long term problems.”
Motorsports Safety Group is the collaboration of forward thinking minds geared toward continuing efforts that serve to foster improvements in the safety of racing. The goals of Motorsports Safety Group embody the interests of the group and its partners, ensuring the safety and health of racing teams and their loyal following.
Dr. Cormier crafted this strategic partnership with the ARCA Safety Initiative Program to form a “Motorsports Healthcare Education Plan,” a high profile, interactive activation designed to reach millions of race fans throughout the country. Motorsports Safety Group, with now an international presence, looks forward to a long-term relationship with the ARCA racing family.
Motorsports Safety Group Welcomes Dr. Philip Surface
Dr. Phillip Surface brings to Motorsport Safety Group a wealth of knowledge from not only the safety side of the motor racing industry, but also from the both medical engineering and competitive side of the racing industry. With well over 20 years of experience, Dr. Surface has made a number of monumental changes with regards to safety in the sport. With the experience of being a race mechanic, professional racer, team owner, racing school owner/teacher topped off with being a specialized spine surgeon, Motorsports Safety Group considers him one of the biggest additions to this group of experts and look forward to his insight as the collaborative efforts expand.
MSG - ARCA Safety Initiaive - February: AMERICAN HEART MONTH
(Feb. 19, 2018) -- The month of February is the time of year when sweethearts let their feelings be known on Valentine’s Day and when the stock car racing world kicks off its new season in Daytona Beach, Florida.
February is also American Heart Month.
Dr. Jason Cormier, founder of the Motorsports Safety Group, reminds each of us that heart disease doesn’t happen just to senior citizens. It is happening to younger adults more and more often. This is partly because the conditions that lead to heart disease are happening at younger ages. February is Heart Month, the perfect time to learn about your risk for heart disease and the steps you need to take now to help your heart.
Heart disease—and the conditions that lead to it—can happen at any age. High rates of obesity and high blood pressure among younger people (ages 35-64) are putting them at risk for heart disease earlier in life. Half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking).
You Could Be at Risk
Many of the conditions and behaviors that put people at risk for heart disease are appearing at younger ages:
High blood pressure. Millions of Americans of all ages have high blood pressure, including millions of people in their 40s and 50s. About half of people with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the biggest risks for heart disease and other harmful conditions, such as stroke.
High blood cholesterol. High cholesterol can increase the risk for heart disease. Having diabetes and obesity, smoking, eating unhealthy foods and not getting enough physical activity can all contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Smoking. More than 37 million U.S. adults are current smokers, and thousands of young people start smoking each day. Smoking damages the blood vessels and can cause heart disease.
Other conditions and behaviors that affect your risk for heart disease include:
Obesity. Carrying extra weight puts stress on the heart. More than 1 in 3 Americans—and nearly 1 in 6 children ages 2 to 19—have obesity.
Diabetes. Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. This can damage blood vessels and nerves that help control the heart muscle. Nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States has diabetes.
Physical inactivity. Staying physically active helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy. Only 1 in 5 adults meets the physical activity guidelines of getting 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity.
Unhealthy eating patterns. Most Americans, including children, eat too much sodium (salt), which increases blood pressure. Replacing foods high in sodium with fresh fruits and vegetables can help lower blood pressure. But only 1 in 10 adults is getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. Diet high in trans-fat, saturated fat and added sugar increases the risk factor for heart disease.
4 Ways to Take Control of Your Heart Health
You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your heart. Learn how to be heart healthy at any age.
Don’t smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, learn how to quit.
Manage conditions. Work with your health care team to manage conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This includes taking any medicines you have been prescribed. Learn more about preventing and managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Make heart-healthy eating changes. Eat food low in trans-fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. Try to fill at least half your plate with vegetables and fruits, and aim for low sodium options. Learn more about how to reduce sodium.
Stay active. Get moving for at least 150 minutes per week. You can even break up the 30 minutes into 10-minute blocks. Learn more about how to get enough physical activity.
What is American Heart Month?
American Heart Month is a federally designated event. The first American Heart Month, which took place in February 1964, was proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson via Proclamation 3566 on December 30, 1963. The Unities States Congress, by joint resolution on that date, has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating February as American Heart Month. At that time, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease.
While American Heart Month is a federally designated month in the United States, it’s important to realize that cardiovascular disease knows no borders. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.
Chances are, we all know someone affected by heart disease and stroke, because about 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 death every 38 seconds. But together we can change that.
The biggest part of living healthy comes down to simply making healthy choices. While you can’t change things like age and family history, the good news is that even modest changes to your diet and lifestyle can improve your heart health and lower your risk by as much as 80 percent.
Motorsports Safety Group is the collaboration of forward thinking minds geared toward continuing efforts that serve to foster improvements in the safety of racing. The goals of Motorsports Safety Group embody the interests of the group and its partners, ensuring the safety and health of racing teams and their loyal following.
Dr. Cormier crafted this strategic partnership with the ARCA Safety Initiative Program to form a “Motorsports Healthcare Education Plan,” a high profile, interactive activation designed to reach millions of race fans throughout the country. Motorsports Safety Group, with now an international presence, look forward to a long-term relationship with the ARCA racing family.
Dr. Jason Cormier to join the Annual Jockey's Guild helmet discussion - Las Vegas Dec 11-12th
The Jockeys' Guild Annual Assembly, sponsored by Betfair USA, will bring together Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys from around the country December 11-12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This year's assembly will feature panels that will benefit not only jockeys, but racetracks and horsemen's organizations as well by addressing safety concerns and raising awareness regarding concussions and head injuries. The Jockeys' Guild welcomes and encourages all industry organizations to send a representative. Such subjects include:
Racing Toward A Safer Environment: Helmets and Vests with panelists which include Jeff Crandall from the University of Virginia, who chairs the NFL Engineering Committee, and Terry Smith of Dynamic Research. Dr. Jason Cormier, who was named one of America's top neurosurgeons by Consumers Research Council of America's Guide to America's top surgeons, will join the helmet discussion.
Dr. Cormier also leads the team for Motorsports Safety Group. David Anderson, President & CEO of Phoenix Performance Products, will join the panel discussing vests.
After the Impact facilitates comprehensive treatment and provides support for military veterans, professional athletes and their families, including jockeys. Eric Hipple, former Detroit Lions quarterback, will speak to the assembly on behalf of After the Impact. The Guild has been able to work with After the Impact because of funding from The Stronach Group.
Concussion Protocol and Return-to-Ride Guidelines, presented by Dr. Carl Mattacola of the University of Kentucky. These guidelines have been approved by the Jockeys' Guild Board of Directors, but have not yet been adopted by our industry. Dr. Kelly Ryan of MedStar Sports Medicine will address issues relating to a jockey's well-being.
The Assembly will hear from other speakers and have updates from representatives of Betfair USA, the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America, Duralock, Horsemen's Track & Equipment, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, as well as an update on Jockeys' Guild member benefits.
The annual awards luncheon will be held Tuesday afternoon at the MGM Grand when the Eddie Arcaro Award will be presented to Belinda Stronach of The Stronach Group, the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award to Mike Smith, the Jacky Martin Award to Ricky Ramirez and the Ron Turcotte Courage Award to Tad Leggett and Jack Fires. A closed session for members only will take place after the luncheon.
“Betfair and TVG are excited to be extending our longstanding relationship with the Guild and supporting its annual meeting,” said Jeff Lowich, Director of Industry Relations for Betfair/TVG. “The Guild and its members consistently work to grow the audience for our game. The riders are more accessible and welcoming to fans and media than any group of professional athletes. TVG is proud to both help raise awareness for and provide financial support for safety issues affecting riders. We appreciate the leadership position the Guild has taken on these issues and we look forward to working together to launch our PDJF Telethons beginning in the spring of next year.”
For more information on attending the Assembly, contact Jamie Carter at the Jockeys' Guild at 859-523-5625.
Crash Preparation Education and Awareness - PRI Show Sat Dec 9th 2017
Motorsports Safety Group is looking forward to connect with you at the 30th anniversary PRI show December 7th -9th in Indianapolis, IN. Dr Jason Cormier along with his partners and team are bringing awareness of brain and spine injury, health and wellness and the importance of athleticisim in the racing industry.
EVERFI / MSG - TALLADEGA , Oct 2017
To EVERFI, digital learning isn’t just about realizing your potential—it's about maximizing it. With their scalable learning solutions, they’re empowering organizations everywhere to instill knowledge around critical topics in the classroom, in the office and in the community. Together, they’re connecting education to the real world and opening new doors of opportunity for all. Thank you Beth for the positive force you bring to education and to the future of our kids across the country. From us here at Motorsports Safety Group - we salute you! To learn more about EVERFI visit www.everfi.com
MSG to host Safety Seminar at Winchester
TOLEDO, Ohio (Aug. 1, 2017) -- Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America announced today that Motorsports Safety Group would be hosting the third in a series of scheduled Safety Seminars Saturday, August 5 at Winchester Speedway.
Dr. Jason Cormier, founder of Motorsports Safety Group and one of the country’s leading neurosurgeons,will present a 30-minute session at 12:15 p.m., immediately following the Saturday drivers meeting. The Seminar will include material specifically related to head injury, and preventative measures for race drivers and crew members. Attendance for all entered drivers is required, and the seminar is open to all ARCA licensed participants. ARCA Racing Series crew chiefs and car owners are encouraged to attend.
Recent head injuries to drivers in the sport have inspired Dr. Cormier to host the Safety Seminar at Winchester and discuss conditions involving concussion and other types of head injury. As a renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Cormier specializes in injury to the head, neck and spine.
Dr. Cormier formed the Motorsports Safety Group during the off-season to create a means by which to promote health, wellness and preventative practices within the sport of auto racing. Dr. Cormier crafted this strategic partnership with the ARCA Safety Initiative Program to form a “Motorsports Healthcare Education Plan,” a high profile, interactive activation designed to reach millions of race fans throughout the country.
The Motorsports Safety Group’s support of the ARCA Safety Initiative was announced at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in December of 2016.
For more information, please visit www.motorsportssafetygroup.com.