Sports and injuries seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. With all the protocols and equipment, however, athletes are being protected to the best possible extent.

It’s no doubt that equipment and protocol have improved tremendously over the years. We often over-look the little things such as football helmets going from a single bar across to a full face mask or the University Interscholastic League protocol for concussions.

We also have become more aware and educated about injuries, with more diagnoses now then years ago. Athletes also have a full-time trainer to see during school and the coaches must have CPR and concussion training to follow the UIL standard.

Technology is another major part of the advancement of the way we handle injuries. With the advances we have, we can test equipment to witness the maximum protection it offers.

Although it seems like more and more athletes are injured, that’s not the case. We are becoming better and better at spotting the injury and preventing it from becoming worst. Athletes are being treated to make sure they don’t have problems later in life.

We have left the age of “getting rattled” and “just rub some dirt on it” to a time where injuries in all sports are taken seriously and we try to prevent them in every way possible with braces and other materials.