Headgear is a particular type of headwear that protects people from serious injuries. It can prevent car racing, hockey, ski jumping, and motorsport traumas. Football has never been associated with wearing headgear, as people got used to seeing players without this item. Indeed, it is essential to consider the consequences of wearing headwear in football to understand whether it can be mandatory or not. It is vital to draw arguments discussing the necessity of headgear in football to prove its optionality in this type of sport.
One of the bright examples of a brilliant football career is Cristiano Ronaldo. He had more than 100 headed goals that became significant precedents in the history of football (Bhat, 2019). Ronaldo set a particular landmark in world football by making headed goals. It is controversial whether Cristiano Ronaldo could become a fantastic football player wearing headgear; thus, discussion of flaws attributed to this headwear is essential. One of the most common opinions states that headgear helps to prevent concussions. It is a widespread injury among young and adult sportspeople, which affects the brain. Indeed, the researchers claim that it ‘does not influence concussion incidence or severity’ (Babcock, 2020, para 2). Furthermore, concussion is not a typical trauma for football players; for example, knee and hamstring injuries are widespread among players (Soccer Bug, 2021). A concussion is caused by brain movement inside the skull; it is not opened trauma that the headwear can prevent. Therefore, headgear is obsolete to defend oneself from a concussion or internal head injuries.
Discussing sports that require wearing headgear is essential to examine the factors that affect its necessity. According to the research, headgear is obligatory in horse racing and ice hockey (Tjønndal & Wågan, 2021). For example, the need for headwear in this sport is evident, as there is a risk of falling from the horse and getting trauma. The height of a horse can become an essential factor for receiving irrecoverable head damage. Ice hockey deals with skates and razors, damaging the body and leading to adverse outcomes. In football, no player deals with extreme height or sharp objects, and it is possible to claim that the headgear is not mandatory.
In addition, football requires immediate vision reaction for the player to track the ball. Headgear can lower the reaction time and distract the player from a visual view (Miller et al., 2019). It is vital to note that headgears typically contain metal grids to protect the eyes from injuries; it can close the vision for the player. In football, peripheral vision is essential; it helps the player to follow the ball and think ahead several steps before any action. It is controversial whether the player can react quickly wearing the protective helmet. Accordingly, the weight of headgear can confuse the player, cause a slower response, and distract the person from the process. Therefore, the lower reaction can cause severe traumas and make football more dangerous for health.
However, considering counter-argument is essential, as there is a high risk of receiving traumas in sports. Several sportsmen report that wearing a helmet can help to prevent orofacial injuries (Tjønndal & Wågan, 2021, p. 4). These traumas involve the face and eye injuries, soft tissue traumas, and related face damage. Protective headgear can prevent soft tissue traumas by covering the whole face (Miller et al., 2019). Moreover, orofacial traumas can cause neural dysfunction, irrecoverable tissue, and face muscle damage (Tjønndal & Wågan, 2021). It is essential to consider the ball’s weight, especially in dynamics. The object’s speed influences its force, so the ball can have enormous power and significantly hit the tissue. Therefore, the helmet can save face and protect it from multiple damages in sports.
Indeed, football is a sport that is not attributed to wearing protective headgear. Specific requirements might be implemented for the helmet to become mandatory. For example, it should not hinder the player’s vision and lower reaction speed. Additively, the headgear has to be lightweight for the player to feel comfortable. Indeed, it is doubtful whether the helmet can protect in an appropriate way if it is lightweight and thin. Moreover, the showiness and beauty of football play a significant role. People got used to watching players without protective caps; it contributes to football’s specific charm and involvement.
Therefore, there are more disadvantages than benefits of implementing headgear in football. Knee and hamstring injuries are the most common traumas for football players, and head injuries take a minor position in this sport. Moreover, headgear does not protect the brain from a concussion and does not influence its severity. It is suggested that sports such as horse racing and ice hockey require wearing a helmet due to the increased risk of head trauma. In football, players are subject to limb traumas rather than head injuries. In addition, headwear can reduce the reaction speed and obstruct the player’s vision. Accordingly, these consequences can lead to lower quality of the play and more traumas related to decreased reaction.
References
Babcock, R. (2022). Does soccer headgear effectively reduce concussion. Headcheck Health. Web.
Bhat, S. (2019). Top 10 headed goals by Cristiano Ronaldo. Sportskeeda. Web.
Miller, R. A., Rogers, R. R., Williams, T. D., Marshall, M. R., Moody, J. R., Hensarling, R. W., & Ballmann, C. G. (2019). Effects of protective American football headgear on peripheral vision reaction time and visual target detection in division I NCAA football players. Sports, 7(9), 213.
Soccer Bug. (2021). Season ending injuries in football 2020 / 2021 [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Tjønndal, A., & Wågan, A. F. (2021). Athletes’ and coaches’ attitudes toward protective headgear as concussion and head injury prevention: A scoping review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3.