Audio BioStock previously written Nearly 4 million athletes suffer concussions each year in the United States alone. Among the sports that top the list for the highest concussion rates are American football, along with rugby and ice hockey, and the incidence among young adults and children is even higher in some cases.
Studies show that early cooling is crucial for preserving brain function and for resisting long-term cognitive impairment in concussions. PolarCools PolarCap System does this by applying a non-invasive surface cooling technology. The product is easy to use, quick to apply and delivers highly effective cooling immediately after injury, and thus has the potential to be used in a variety of contact sports where concussions can not only risk the health of athletes, but also their careers.
PolarCap is used in professional sports
The clinical evidence for the PolarCap System is now being strengthened. In June, it was published a final report from a five-year clinical study conducted in collaboration with Swedish Hockey League, SHL, with the support of the players' association SICO, which showed a significant reduction in the percentage of days absent from play for players who suffered concussions but received immediate care with PolarCap.
This is something that professional sports teams, both Swedish and international, have noticed. Earlier this summer, PolarCool announced that the Swedish men's national handball team had signed an agreement to use the PolarCap System in upcoming international competitions, as had the German ice hockey team. The Eagles Mannheim. In a comment, Adler Mannheim's team doctor said Oliver Lanczik:
»THE INCIDENCE OF CONCUSSION IS PERCEIVED MORE AND MORE IN CONTACT SPORTS, WHILE THE THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES ARE SOMEWHAT LIMITED. WE THEREFORE WELCOME THE POLARCAP SYSTEM AS A PROMISING NEW TOOL FOR THE ACUTE TREATMENT OF CONCUSSIONS AND ARE CONVINCED THAT WE CAN THUS OFFER IMPROVED MEDICAL CARE FOR OUR PLAYERS.«
Potential for further expansion
BioStock recently learned that the PolarCap System has been used by the Swedish national American football team during International Federation of American Football (IFAF) European Championship.
The American football market is very interesting for PolarCool because the problems with concussions there are well known. The largest market by far is in the USA, where the sport is very popular, but the sport is also on the rise in Europe. In fact, this year a new professional league has taken off in Europe, European Football League, and this is expected to expand further ahead of the 2022 season.
BioStock contacted the Swedish national team physio Justus Bejnö who wants to make the PolarCap system available to the Swedish national team.
Justus Bejnö, can you tell us a little more about your role within the Swedish American Football Association and the national team??
– I am the chairman of the Swedish American Football Association's medical committee, and ultimately responsible for ensuring the safety and access to medical personnel during international matches.
From your perspective, how big is the problem of concussions in sports in general, especially when it comes to young adults who want to pursue a career in sports?
– I mean there are challenges when it comes to head trauma, but with appropriate safety measures, training and equipment, I believe these challenges can be easily managed.
How did you find out about PolarCap and why did you decide to include PolarCap in your treatment Plan?
– I was contacted by PolarCool ahead of the European Championship semi-final between Sweden and Finland and was introduced to the product, and I believe that the research that has been done regarding acute treatment of concussion is promising.
Was PolarCap used during the European Championships?
– Yes, during the semi-final between Sweden and Finland, PolarCap was used on one occasion.
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