January is National Winter Sports TBI Awareness Month, and we are hoping all our athletes remain safe in their sport. A press release by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, “January is National Winter Sports TBI Awareness Month,” highlights an important seasonal reality; winter sports come with the risk of TBI, including concussions. Activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, sledding, and skating involve high speeds, hard surfaces, and unpredictable conditions.
As athletes head into 2026, staying safe means not only preventing injuries but also identifying them early when they do occur. This is where tools like EyeBOX become especially relevant.
Key Takeaways
- Head injuries are among the most serious injuries seen in winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding; given the unpredictable weather and terrain.
- Concussions do not always cause immediate or obvious symptoms, which makes them easy to miss.
- Protective equipment like helmets helps reduce risk, but it does not eliminate the possibility of brain injury.
- Early recognition and proper evaluation are critical to preventing long-term complications.
How EyeBOX Helps Protect Athletes
One of the biggest challenges with winter sports TBIs is that athletes often feel pressure to keep going, especially during holidays, competitions, or trips. EyeBOX helps remove guesswork by providing an objective, eye-tracking based assessment of brain function. This makes it a powerful tool for identifying injuries early, guiding safer return-to-play decisions, and reducing the risk of repeated or cumulative brain injury during the busy winter season.
Looking Ahead to a Safer 2026
As we move into 2026, National Winter Sports TBI Awareness Month is a timely reminder that prevention and detection must go hand in hand. Wearing helmets, knowing your limits, and respecting conditions are essential first steps. Adding objective tools like EyeBOX creates a stronger safety net by helping clinicians and teams catch injuries that might otherwise go unnoticed. Book a demo to learn more about EyeBOX today.