![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
This week the New York Times wrote an in-depth expose on the brains of NFL players. The piece follows a study headed by Dr. Anne McKee, a neurologist from the Boston University School of Medicine. During this 9 year initiative, McKee examined the link between playing professional-level sports (later revised to specifically focus on NFL) and CTE.
CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative disease of the brain that can only be diagnosed postpartum via direct tissue examination. The disease is usually caused by repetitive mid-traumatic brain injuries-such as concussions or other blows to the head- and causes symptoms such as erratic behavior, progressive dementia, and suicidal ideation. A large number of the brains donated to the studies were from the families of NFL players who believed their loved ones exhibited symptoms of CTE. Because of this, 110 of the 111 NFL players in this study were found to have CTE.
CTE has been found in all players, but there is a correlation in prevalence and certain positions. McKee found that 44 of the 110 brains were those of linemen, the most common players on the field. These players take non-violent blows on almost every play- the perfect recipe that is thought to cause CTE. The next position with the most confirmed cases was running backs (20), followed by defensive backs (17), linebackers (13), quarterbacks (7), wide receivers (5), tight ends (2), and place-kickers and punters each at 1.
“It is no longer debatable whether or not there is a problem in football — there is a problem,” Dr. McKee said.
At Act Global, we believe that it is our responsibility as a synthetic turf manufacturer to continuously dedicate ourselves to research and development of sports injuries prevention. Athletes, no matter the level they play at, deserve a surface that helps keep them safe during moments of impact and that works to protect them when they need it. We believe that the best moments in sports can only occur when athletes have the confidence to perform; our sports field turf helps do just this.
To read more about this study:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/sports/football/nfl-cte.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur
To read about our R&D efforts in artificial turf technology.
http://www.actglobal.com/sports-turf.php
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
We want to start off by saying how proud of our installation team we are. We are so happy to have a group of dedicated and hardworking individuals as part of the Act Global family.
This week’s Field Feature Friday is another update on our Odessa field! The team is making serious strides and is getting ready to inlay the center field logo. The quality of work we demand of our team is no easy feat, but they are exceeding our expectations. Despite the 100 degree Missouri heat, the crew has been working tirelessly to make sure every part of the field looks pristine for the Bulldogs football team.
Our sales rep for the area, Mark West, let us know that the entire group has become extremely close throughout their time in Odessa. They always go out to lunch together and have become regulars at the local diner. The waitresses have the guys’ orders memorized and have said that “they are the most polite group they have served”.
The field will be finished up next week, and we can’t wait to see the final playing surface for the Bulldogs!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
The multi-court facility in Panama is giving local residents the opportunity to play sports recreationally and improve their health. The space is available to over 50,000 kids, youth, and adults to encourage physical and mental health.
“This investment is one of the first benefits of the decentralization funds in the Municipality of Panama. The works are part of the project that the Alcaldía of Panamá has to improve public spaces in the 23 corregimientos of our district, and I congratulate the vision and the effort”, said President Varela.
The complex acts as an asset to promote health and wellness within the corregimiento, as well as an asset to the public schools. With the Extended Day being implemented within schools, Belisario Porras gives children productive ways to spend these additional hours. Additionally, the facility aids in building links between their education, their community, and their health while keeping away from the dangers and criminal world of the streets.
The Belisario Porras complex includes a baseball field, a full sized soccer pitch for competitive play, and a mini soccer square for children. Completed with amenities such as bathrooms, changing rooms, and a communal house, Belisario Porras is a full service community resource for the corregimiento. The facility features Act Global’s Xtreme Turf F50, a durable synthetic grass that is engineered for safety and performance. This means that the people of Panama will have a reliable and safe sports complex for years to come.
We applaud the Panama community on their efforts to inspire health and happiness within their neighborhoods.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
This month’s issue of SportsField Management, named The Water Issue, looked at the comprehensive management approach to water conservation. We were inspired by the excellent content covered in the issue and support with the notion that we must all take part in the effort to preserve water resources.
Water is the single most fundamental, necessary, and precious natural resource we have available. It spans 71% of the Earth and makes up about 60% of the human body; however, just 1% of water is the usable, freshwater we require. This already limited resource is becoming more and more threatened in the 21st century. As the worldwide population increases exponentially and urbanization grows to match, water is becoming a scarcer and more expensive commodity. With this in mind, it is important for sports turf managers to be stewards of the environment and do all that is possible to prioritize water conservation.
But how exactly do water conservation and sports turf management relate to each other? SFM states, “620 gallons are required to apply 1 inch of water to 1,000 square feet”. This would mean 52,700 gallons are required for an average 85,000 square foot football field, or the equivalent of leaving your shower running for 17.4 days straight. Not only is this an excessive use of water, but according to a survey conducted by SFM, less than half of the operations/facilities who participated are trying to save as much water as possible.
Dr. Jim Baird, an extension specialist in turfgrass management at the University of California- Riverside, states, “As an industry, it’s best to take a proactive approach, to show that sports turf management and water conservation can go hand in hand”. It is important to save water now, before supplies get down to critical levels.
At Act Global, we have created several lines of synthetic turf that both reduce and eliminate the need for watering sports fields. Each of our Xtreme Grass, Xtreme Turf, and UBU products provide a solution to the water issue, while offering a safe surface for the players on the pitch. Xtreme Grass, a hybrid and multipurpose product, reinforces the playability of natural grass while adding in the durability of synthetic turf. By reducing the amount of grass needed to fill a field, Xtreme Grass reduces the overall amount of water used to maintain a field. Both our Xtreme Turf and UBU products are full artificial grass options that do not require watering.
Water conservation is an increasingly pressing issue facing the sports field management sector. It’s an issue that requires facilities to take responsibility and put in the necessary effort for execution. It is our job now to prioritize sustainable turf products and habits to ensure future generations enjoy the same environmental quality as current and past generations.
Check out more on this topic at:
http://www.sportsfield-digital.com/
All photo credit goes to SportsField Management magazine.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![A Scientific Look at the Minds of 111 Former NFL Brains and the Stark Reality of CTE]()
by Shelby Becker
Summer 2017 has been the start of several exciting moments for us here at Act Global, one of which is the formation of our own installation team. As the crew headed to Odessa, MO this week for our next field install, we had a gift waiting for them to help them battle the heat and sun.
Odessa is a town in western Missouri, outside of Kansas City. Situated in the middle of the US with no large bodies of water near it, Odessa can get extremely hot and sunny. This week, the highs are reaching the 90s with only some cloud coverage. With this in mind, we wanted to provide the team with clothing that would help them be as comfortable as possible while working outdoors. The resulting safety-colored yellow shirts feature a moisture wicking fabric that has the bonus benefit of being odor resistant.
Our sales rep with the guys, Mark West, let us know that the team was thrilled to have the new gear. The boys are already sporting the shirts and are excited to start their work on the Odessa field.
Thank you to our awesome installation crew for the hard work they are putting in, and keep up the great work!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
