Risk of Parkinson's Disease Associated With Football

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a composite type of neurological disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms, including tremors, rigidity, and impaired balance. Nerve cell damage causes a reduction in levels of dopamine, which results in symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. At present, there is no cure for the disease, but the management protocols to prevent or assist the disease so as to control the symptoms are used and applied. Recent studies have revealed that there is a connection between football and Parkinson's disease. This is indicative that football players are more prone to the risk of falling in this condition.

Early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease in footballers, current as well as retired, are

• Though shaking is normal after heavy exercise, a tremor while at rest in the chin, hands, limbs, and fingers is a sign of Parkinson's disease.

• A change in the pattern of writing, like writing words that appear smaller and crowded. But this needs to be in line with other signs, such as stiffness in the hands and fingers, along with poor vision.

• A prolonged loss of smell, such as being unable to smell bananas or pickles. This needs to be ruled out for conditions like flu or stuffy nose, where the sense of smell is regained after getting better.

• Stiffness is a significant sign of early Parkinsonism. People with the condition often feel as if their feet are stuck to the ground. It is also noticed by others that this person does not swing their arms freely while walking around. The walking difficulty is often seen in people suffering from this condition.

• Another sign is having a masked face while the person is resting. If a person appears anxious, sad, or depressed without actually being sad or depressed, the person is said to have facial masking, which is often a sign of Parkinson's disease.

• Initial signs of Parkinson's include softening of voice. The person's sound becomes hoarse and soft. The person may think that others cannot hear him when actually the problem lies with his soft voice, which others are not able to comprehend.

• People with early Parkinson's may suffer from constipation without having any dietary contribution.

• Troubled sleep is another sign of the condition. A person is often seen to have jerks even when in deep sleep.

• Dementia or the severe loss of memory seen along the signs is indicative of the condition.

• Cognitive impairment, which is trouble in remembering, concentrating, and learning things, is also due to nerve degeneration, which is initiated due to Parkinson's disease.

All these signs together should be checked for. The tremor stiffness, along with all the above signs, can be helpful in the proper and timely diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

How Are Football Players Related to Parkinsonism?

The potential risk factors and scientific discoveries that are suggestive of the enigmatic relationship between the footballers and the Parkinson's disease are

1. Football And Brain Trauma - The collision and the physical exertion involved in football leave players at risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These injuries occur frequently and can have severe consequences, including chronic encephalopathy (CTE), which is characterized by brain nerve cell death and degeneration—retired footballers with CTE exhibit Parkinsonian symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and impaired motor functions. Exposure to repeated head impacts and concussions has been proposed as a contributing factor to the development of Parkinson's disease.

2. Inflammation And Oxidative Stress - In addition to direct stress to head injuries, underlying mechanisms related to inflammation and oxidative stress. These are the body mechanisms in reaction to excessive playing that leads to increased oxygen demand to muscles, leaving the altered blood flow to other organs, which results in oxidation stress. Football, particularly at the professional level, has been linked with elevated levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein. Long-term inflammation and such kind of oxidation can result in damage to brain cells, leading to the development or progression of Parkinson's disease.

3. Chemical/Pesticide Exposure On Football Fields - Professional football fields often implement intensive pesticide regimes to maintain the quality of the playing surface. Research has raised concern regarding the potential role of pesticide exposure in triggering Parkinson's disease. Pesticides, specifically the neurotoxic ones like Parquet and Maneb, have been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The accumulation of these toxic chemicals in the body raises concerns, especially for those who frequently come into close contact with treated fields.

4. Generics And Football Players - Genetics play a vital role in Parkinson's disease susceptibility. Variations in specific genes have been associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, research suggests that specific generic variants are more prevalent among elite athletes, including football players. The interplay between genetic susceptibility and the physical demands of football remains an ongoing area of study.

What Are the Ways to Minimise the Risk of Parkinson's Disease?

1. Neuroprotective Strategies - While the link between football and Parkinson's disease is becoming clearer, adopting neuroprotective strategies could help minimize the high risks associated with sports. Rule modifications to minimize contact and stricter concussion protocols are already being implemented to reduce the occurrence of TBI's. Moreover, targeted anti-inflammatory interventions and neuroprotective compounds could play crucial roles in mitigating the risk of Parkinson's.

2. Awareness And Additional Research - Increasing awareness about the potential relationships between football and Parkinson's disease is essential for prioritizing player safety and developing preventive strategies. Collaboration between researchers, sports medicine practitioners, and all organizations can facilitate the collection of data for further study over this connection. Furthermore, exploring the potential impact of protective gear, anti-inflammatory medicines, or personalized training regimens could help to reduce the risks for athletes.

Conclusion

The evolving connections between football and Parkinson's disease need attention and further investigation. While the scientific evidence is still emerging, the cumulative data supports a potential relationship between head trauma, inflammation, pesticide exposure, genetic susceptibility, and development of the condition amongst football players. Continued research, increased awareness, and implementation of preventive measures are essential to protect the well-being of football players, both current and retired. The pursuit of safer sporting practices will ensure the life of the player coexists with player health and longevity.