Athens, OH — “Scientists suspect that about 80% of stunt performers have experienced one or more serious head impacts while working.” That’s why an Ohio University professor is working with researchers on the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center to look on the brains of movie and TV stunt performers.

Jeff Russell of the Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions will assist study the donated brains for indicators of CTE. A neurodegenerative illness related to repeated blows to the pinnacle, CTE can have an effect on athletes who take part in high-contact sports activities corresponding to boxing and soccer.

The launch notes that round 9,000 stunt performers work within the leisure business, and they’re thought to be at excessive danger for CTE due to publicity to repeated head trauma. Among the researchers’ targets is to strive to diagnose CTE in dwelling stunt performers so the situation will be handled and, in flip, enhance their well-being.

Stunt performers are important to the tv and movement image industries and “should receive the same type of attention, health care and research that sports athletes receive,” Russell stated in a press launch.

Lori Stewart is a stuntwoman, a well being and security performer advocate for the Union of British Columbia Performers, and one of many community-engaged co-investigators within the analysis group. “Participating in this research provides an opportunity for current performers to play an important role in the reduction of risk and treatment of head injuries for future stunt performing generations,” Stewart stated.