ASSIGNMENT
– 4A
Beginning Point:
In contact sports there is
the constant scare about concussions and concussion symptoms. In leagues like
the NFL, UFC, and professional boxing the threat has become a vital part of the
game. No matter the level of play, whether it is at a young age or at the
professional level, concussions will always be a factor. I think today’s in
game concussion protocol tests have too many loopholes. Players and trainers
have been known to lie to game officials about head injuries thus being allowed
back into the game. I believe that there should be a device maybe a helmet that
could be constructed to identify if someone has a concussion or not.
Describing the belief:
Unmet need: Concussion protocols not being taken seriously
Who has the need: Athletes of any age who play contact sports
Where did the need come
from: Concussions have always been
around but as time goes on, we have found out more and more deadly implications
about the severity of concussions.
What are people doing to
meet this need now: Updating
equipment to make games safer as well as research and concussion protocols
I am 70% the
opportunity of a “Concussion check helmet” exists.
Prototypical customer: Athletes of any age that are involved in contact
sports.
Iteration 1: Male 18 years old who plays
high school football
How often do you experience
the need?
A: I have had only a few concussions
but being that I played “center” I dealt with countless blows to the head over
the years.
How long have you had the
need?
A: Probably since I was about
10 years old when I started playing football. I have tried to tell trainers on
the sideline that I was “fine” so they would let me go back in the game.
When did you first become
aware of the need?
A: Just by watching football
over the years and hearing / seeing players go back out onto the field knowing
they were a little concussed.
How are they currently
addressing the need?
A: We have paramedics as well
as a team doctor on the sideline there to test us and ask us a few questions to
try and determine if we have been concussed.
How satisfied are you with
this solution and would you implement it into your life?
A: I actually think the idea
of a helmet would work and would be more technologically advanced for the year
2020. If I were able to bring it on the sideline during games I would.
Iteration 2: Female, age
50, who is a black belt in mixed martial arts
How often do you experience
the need?
A: I have had one concussion from
a kick to the head about 8 years ago.
How long have you had the
need?
A: Besides the one instance I
would say I haven’t really experienced the need.
When did you first become
aware of the need?
A: I became aware of
concussions through watching sports like fighting and football over the years.
Our instructors always give speeches regarding the awareness of it but that’s basically
it
How are they currently
addressing the need?
A: We wear head gear during
minor sparring practice but other than that we don’t deal with a substantial amount
of concussions
How satisfied are you with
this solution and would you implement it into your life?
A: I think a helmet that can
tell you immediately if you have a concussion is a new idea, but I would not
look into getting one myself.
Iteration 3: Male, age 35,
who runs and manages a football league for kids 8-14 years old
How often do you experience
the need?
A: We don’t experience a ton
of concussions during our season but usually there is one or two that we do
take caution of.
How long have you had the
need?
A: Every year that the league
has gone on for, which we just finished our 7th year.
When did you first become
aware of the need?
A: Some of the kids in the older
age group (12-14) like to play or mimic head to head contact during games which
we monitor but obviously don’t have complete control of.
How are they currently
addressing the need?
A: There is an ambulance on
standby at the park during our games.
How satisfied are you with
this solution and would you implement it into your life?
A: I would like to learn more
about this before trying it out, but if it works, I don’t see a reason to not
have it in all football leagues.
Reflection:
Everyone is aware of the
dangers that concussions present in todays world. Some are taking serious note
of what they should be doing to prevent themselves, but then again understand
that they always want to be out doing their activity. If you don’t experience a
ton of concussions, then a helmet that detects you doesn’t probably matter in
your life. However, the two individuals I spoke to that either manage or play football
both said they would be interested and would revolutionize the games protocol. Working
in the athletic department at UF definitely gives me a better opportunity to
find out more about people possibly interested in the device.
Summary
I definitely think that the
opportunity is still there and that if I don’t come up with it, then some other
person would. I definitely think the opportunity is more accurate, but I think I
would have to attack leagues instead of individual people. Customer feedback is
everything because the reason you first come up with the opportunity is through
the customers need. Therefore, diving deeper into what the customer wants/
needs will help you further expand the opportunity.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI actually was just investigating the effects of athletes playing with concussions and getting traumatic brain injuries as a result of it. In the Aaron Hernandez documentary, he basically had brain injuries that would match up with a 75 year old dementia patient. I don't think it's okay for players to have to play through concussions and permanently damage their brain in such a drastic and terrifying way.
I agree that going forward with this with the leagues is a better way of tackling it than through individual players, because players care the most about getting support from their leagues.
Great idea and really good, relevant issue to tackle!
Hey Christopher,
ReplyDeleteHearing about a concussion sensing helmet as a possibility would be really cool. However, I feel like your target market is a lot smaller than contact sports in general. You mentioned boxing and other martial arts, but during an official fight, these athletes don't wear helmets, to begin with, and that would ultimately defeat the purpose of combat sports.
Christopher,
ReplyDeleteConcussions are very serious, and it often gets overlooked in our country. A lot of the signs aren’t recognizable to people who don’t know what they’re looking for. I think your helmet would be awesome. But I think the first problem begins with changing the gear for a lot of sports, and really bringing awareness to these issues. So many people are plagued by concussions, yet a lot of things still don’t change. Like the required gear to help prevent these injuries. Your helmet would be a wonderful addition to the sports world. Thank you for sharing.