Most concussions occur because of force equal to 95 g's to the human body upon impact. G-force is a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity, we experience 1 g walking around. A typical person may reach about 5 g's (49 m/s2) during a roller coaster ride while the g-force experienced by military fighter pilots is nine. But a football player being hit receives 103, according to Head injury expert Kim Gorgens, a neuropsychologist at the University of Denver who specializies in brain injury.
Gorgens discussed the impact of concussions on children during a recent presentation at TEDxDU on the University of Denver campus. TEDx stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and is an independently organized event licensed by the TED organization.
To watch Gorgens' full presentation, visit www.tedxdu.com.
Also appearing at TEDxDU was internationally-known still photographer Aaron Huey. Huey−a DU graduate−visually chronicled the plight of Native Americans. Specifically, Huey relates the fight for survival on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Aaron began photographing on Pine Ridge as part of a story on poverty in America, but it has captured his passion for five years.
TEDxDU featured 18 speakers and performers discussing the world's most pressing issues from clean water and combating poverty to legal reform and HIV/AIDS.
"DU wants to be part of the solution," Chancellor Robert Coombe says. "We are committed to tackling the great challenges of the day and TEDxDU allows us to be purposeful in creating awareness around the global issues facing our world."
Presentations included the world's fastest electric motorcycle and new research being conducted on Lou Gehrig's disease. Other presenters were Stephen Brackett and Jamie Laurie, known to their fans as Brer Rabbit and Jonny 5 of the Denver-based band Flobots, and The Spirituals Project Choir.