Question

Because of the violent nature of the sport, professional American football players are at risk of suffering concussions (or brain injuries) during the violent collisions that occur between players during the game. Violent collisions involving hits to the head are particularly risky. Suppose the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) institutes a rule requiring players to wear a new, lighter helmet that is designed to reduce head trauma during collisions between players on the field. While the new helmets ________ the probability of a concussion resulting from each individual collision, at the same time the new helmets could also give football players an incentive to play more __________ , which could potentially _________ the amount of violent collisions and thus the number of concussions suffered by NFL players, all else equal.

Answer 1

Answer:

The new helmets will decrease the probability of a concussion resulting from each individual collision as there will be a decrease in the risk of head trauma. The new helmets could also give football players an incentive to play more recklessly which in turn increases the amount of violent collisions. Therefore, the numbers of concussions suffered by NFL players are equal.

Answer 2

Answer:

The new helmets will decrease the probability of a concussion resulting from each individual collision as there will be a decrease in the risk of head trauma.

Explanation: