The Athlete Brain

Okay, so the above photo may not have anything directly to do with the story…but it’s football season and I love the Saints! WHO DAT!?

Something most athletes have in common is drive (see, the above photo is more than a shameless Saints plug). This intense work ethic and drive to win is what generally leads to an athlete’s success. Athletes often push themselves to mental and physical limits, despite scrapes, bruises, broken bones, and what may seem to be “minor” head injuries or concussions. However, recent research is showing that neurological injuries suffered by athletes are more severe and have more devastating consequences than what was once thought.

This episode of Holly on Health, aired on 10/14, is all about the athlete’s brain.

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Aliyah Snyder, former Olympic athlete and member of the Israeli National Skeleton team, shares her story about her drive to succeed and her two year battle with recovery from numerous head injuries. She is now a PhD student in neuropsychology at the University of Florida and hosts an online community network for athletes suffering from neurological injury, www.atheletebrain.com.