Dubious terminology, dubious finding
This bit of mouse-based research is poorly described and dubious and unnecessary.

Headline: Concussions loosen insulation around brain cells

I thought they were talking about the brain's outer membrane, which unquestionably takes most of the force in a concussion. Nope, they're talking about myelin.

The research finds that the myelin around some axons seems to expand or loosen after a concussion, in mice, with the implication that the myelin is getting ready to be stripped off like plastic insulation.

First, myelin is the opposite of insulation. Its purpose is to speed conduction of nerve impulses from the neuron's body to the end of the axon. The metaphor of plastic-coated wires went away a long time ago. Bare axons conduct on their surface, and myelin also conducts on its surface. Neurons are prevented from 'shorting together' by glial cells, not by the myelin.

Second, I can't envision how this would happen mechanically. It might result from the inner axon swelling slightly in a generalized inflammation, then returning to normal? Other glial cells are constantly roaming the corridors of the brain, checking for degraded myelin and repairing it. So the myelin would either contract on its own or get repaired.

Third, mice aren't humans. We're similar in some ways, but mouse studies don't transfer neatly to humans. Pharmaceutical research is moving away from mouse work after realizing it's mostly a waste of money.

Fourth, we don't need an extra marginal dubious reason to avoid ANY sort of repetitive injury, whether it's bashing your head or bashing your elbows. The body can repair most injuries, but it takes time. If you keep bashing faster than healing, the damage will become permanent.

Before Big Football, it was common knowledge that boxers lost their brainpower FAST. Big Football has managed to reshape the common "knowledge" to protect the share value of Big Football, but the obvious fact hasn't changed.
  ¶ 12:17 AM