1
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Sundaram V, Sundar V, Pearce AJ. Biomechanical characteristics of concussive and sub-concussive impacts in youth sports athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sports Sci 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37393593 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2231317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to quantitatively investigate and report the biomechanical characteristics of concussive and sub-concussive impacts in youth sports. A systematic search was conducted in September 2022 to identify biomechanical impact studies in athletes ≤18 years of age. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative synthesis and analysis. DerSimonian Laird random effects model was used to pool data across the included studies. The pooled estimate of mean peak linear and rotational acceleration of concussive impacts in male youth athletes was 85.56 g (95% CI 69.34-101.79) and 4505.58 rad/s2 (95% CI 2870.28-6140.98), respectively. The pooled estimate of mean peak linear and rotational acceleration of sub-concussive impacts in youth athletes was 22.89 g (95% CI 20.69-25.08) and 1290.13 rad/s2 (95% CI 1050.71-1529.55), respectively. A male vs female analysis in sub-concussive impacts revealed higher linear and rotational acceleration in males and females, respectively. This is the first study to report on impact data in both sexes of youth athletes. Disparity in kinematic impact values suggests future research should aim for standardised measures to reduce heterogeneity in data. Despite this, the data reveals notable impact data that youth athletes are exposed to, suggesting modifications may be required to reduce long-term neurological risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasanth Sundaram
- Department of Sports Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai, India
| | - Viswanath Sundar
- Physical Education and Sports Science, Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal, India
| | - Alan J Pearce
- College of Science, Health, and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia
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2
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Daneshvar DH, Nair ES, Baucom ZH, Rasch A, Abdolmohammadi B, Uretsky M, Saltiel N, Shah A, Jarnagin J, Baugh CM, Martin BM, Palmisano JN, Cherry JD, Alvarez VE, Huber BR, Weuve J, Nowinski CJ, Cantu RC, Zafonte RD, Dwyer B, Crary JF, Goldstein LE, Kowall NW, Katz DI, Stern RA, Tripodis Y, Stein TD, McClean MD, Alosco ML, McKee AC, Mez J. Leveraging football accelerometer data to quantify associations between repetitive head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in males. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3470. [PMID: 37340004 PMCID: PMC10281995 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39183-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative tauopathy associated with repetitive head impacts (RHI), but the components of RHI exposure underlying this relationship are unclear. We create a position exposure matrix (PEM), composed of American football helmet sensor data, summarized from literature review by player position and level of play. Using this PEM, we estimate measures of lifetime RHI exposure for a separate cohort of 631 football playing brain donors. Separate models examine the relationship between CTE pathology and players' concussion count, athletic positions, years of football, and PEM-derived measures, including estimated cumulative head impacts, linear accelerations, and rotational accelerations. Only duration of play and PEM-derived measures are significantly associated with CTE pathology. Models incorporating cumulative linear or rotational acceleration have better model fit and are better predictors of CTE pathology than duration of play or cumulative head impacts alone. These findings implicate cumulative head impact intensity in CTE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Daneshvar
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mass General Brigham-Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Evan S Nair
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary H Baucom
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail Rasch
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeline Uretsky
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Saltiel
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arsal Shah
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johnny Jarnagin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine M Baugh
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brett M Martin
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph N Palmisano
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cherry
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Weuve
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher J Nowinski
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert C Cantu
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, USA
| | - Ross D Zafonte
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mass General Brigham-Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brigid Dwyer
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research Core, Department of Pathology, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lee E Goldstein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas I Katz
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Stern
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael D McClean
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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3
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Holcomb TD, Marks ME, Stewart Pritchard N, Miller L, Espeland MA, Miles CM, Moore JB, Foley KL, Stitzel JD, Urban JE. Characterization of Head Acceleration Exposure During Youth Football Practice Drills. J Appl Biomech 2023; 39:157-168. [PMID: 37105545 PMCID: PMC10809728 DOI: 10.1123/jab.2022-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Many head acceleration events (HAEs) observed in youth football emanate from a practice environment. This study aimed to evaluate HAEs in youth football practice drills using a mouthpiece-based sensor, differentiating between inertial and direct HAEs. Head acceleration data were collected from athletes participating on 2 youth football teams (ages 11-13 y) using an instrumented mouthpiece-based sensor during all practice sessions in a single season. Video was recorded and analyzed to verify and assign HAEs to specific practice drill characteristics, including drill intensity, drill classification, and drill type. HAEs were quantified in terms of HAEs per athlete per minute and peak linear and rotational acceleration and rotational velocity. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the differences in kinematics, and generalized linear models were used to assess differences in HAE frequency between drill categories. A total of 3237 HAEs were verified and evaluated from 29 football athletes enrolled in this study. Head kinematics varied significantly between drill categorizations. HAEs collected at higher intensities resulted in significantly greater kinematics than lower-intensity drills. The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence informing evidence-based strategies to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in youth football practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ty D. Holcomb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Madison E. Marks
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - N. Stewart Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Logan Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Mark A. Espeland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Christopher M. Miles
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Justin B. Moore
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Epidemiology & Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Kristie L. Foley
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Joel D. Stitzel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Jillian E. Urban
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
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4
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Marks ME, Holcomb TD, Pritchard NS, Miller LE, Espeland MA, Miles CM, Moore JB, Foley KL, Stitzel JD, Urban JE. Characterizing Exposure to Head Acceleration Events in Youth Football Using an Instrumented Mouthpiece. Ann Biomed Eng 2022; 50:1620-1632. [PMID: 36274103 PMCID: PMC9815159 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-03097-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding characteristics of head acceleration events (HAEs) in youth football is vital in developing strategies to improve athlete safety. This study aimed to characterize HAEs in youth football using an instrumented mouthpiece. Youth football athletes (ages 11-13) participating on two teams were enrolled in this study for one season. Each athlete was instrumented with a mouthpiece-based sensor throughout the season. HAEs were verified on film to ensure that mouthpiece-based sensors triggered during contact. The number of HAEs, peak resultant linear and rotational accelerations, and peak resultant rotational velocity were quantified. Mixed effects models were used to evaluate differences in mean kinematic metrics among all HAEs for session type, athlete position, and contact surface. A total of 5,292 HAEs were collected and evaluated from 30 athletes. The median (95th percentile) peak resultant linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, and rotational velocity was 9.5 g (27.0 g), 666.4 rad s-2 (1863.3 rad s-2), and 8.5 rad s-1 (17.4 rad s-1), respectively. Athletes experienced six (22) HAEs per athlete per session (i.e., practice, game). Competition had a significantly higher mean number of HAEs per athlete per session and mean peak rotational acceleration. Peak resultant rotational kinematics varied significantly among athlete positions. Direct head impacts had higher mean kinematics compared to indirect HAEs, from body collisions. The results of this study demonstrate that session type, athlete position, and contact surface (i.e., direct, indirect) may influence HAE exposure in youth football.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Marks
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 575 Patterson Avenue, Suite 530, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ty D Holcomb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 575 Patterson Avenue, Suite 530, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - N Stewart Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 575 Patterson Avenue, Suite 530, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Logan E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 575 Patterson Avenue, Suite 530, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mark A Espeland
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Christopher M Miles
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Justin B Moore
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kristie L Foley
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Joel D Stitzel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 575 Patterson Avenue, Suite 530, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jillian E Urban
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 575 Patterson Avenue, Suite 530, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
- Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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5
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Relationship between Aggressiveness, Self-Confidence, and Perceived Coach Support and Head Impact Exposure in Youth Football. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10080115. [PMID: 36006081 PMCID: PMC9412463 DOI: 10.3390/sports10080115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated head impact exposure (HIE) metrics in relation to individual-level determinants of HIE. Youth (n = 13) and high school (n = 21) football players were instrumented with the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) system during one season. Players completed the Trait-Robustness of Self-Confidence Inventory (TROSCI), Sports Climate Questionnaire (SCQ), and Competitive Aggressiveness and Anger Scale (CAAS), measuring self-confidence, perceived coach support, and competitive aggressiveness, respectively. Relationships between HIE metrics (number of impacts, median and 95th percentile accelerations, and risk-weighted exposure (RWE)) and survey scores were evaluated using linear regression analysis. For middle school athletes, TROSCI scores were significantly negatively associated with the number of competition impacts and the mean number of impacts per player per competition. SCQ scores were significantly positively associated with median linear acceleration during practice. CAAS scores were not significantly associated with biomechanical metrics at either level of play. Perceived coach support and self-confidence might influence HIE among middle school football players. Football athletes' competitive aggressiveness may have less influence their HIE than other factors.
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Head Impact Exposure in Youth and Collegiate American Football. Ann Biomed Eng 2022; 50:1488-1497. [PMID: 35507229 PMCID: PMC10081156 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-02974-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between head impact and subsequent brain injury for American football players is not well-defined, especially for youth. The objective of this study is to quantify and assess Head Impact Exposure (HIE) metrics among youth and collegiate football players. This multi-season study enrolled 639 unique athletes (354 collegiate; 285 youth, ages 9-14), recording 476,209 head impacts (367,337 collegiate; 108,872 youth) over 971 sessions (480 collegiate; 491 youth). Youth players experienced 43 and 65% fewer impacts per competition and practice, respectively, and lower impact magnitudes compared to collegiate players (95th percentile peak linear acceleration (PLA, g) competition: 45.6 vs 61.9; 95th percentile PLA practice: 42.6 vs 58.8; 95th percentile peak rotational acceleration (PRA, rad·s-2) competition: 2262 vs 4422; 95th percentile PRA practice: 2081 vs 4052; 95th percentile HITsp competition: 25.4 vs 32.8; 95th percentile HITsp practice: 23.9 vs 30.2). Impacts during competition were more frequent and of greater magnitude than during practice at both levels. Quantified comparisons of head impact frequency and magnitude between youth and collegiate athletes reveal HIE differences as a function of age, and expanded insight better informs the development of age-appropriate guidelines for helmet design, prevention measures, standardized testing, brain injury diagnosis, and recovery management.
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7
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Dorman JC, Poel DN, Valentine VD, Munce TA. Head Impact Exposure of a Youth Football Team over Eight Consecutive Seasons. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022; 54:3-11. [PMID: 34310490 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined HIE of middle school football players over multiple seasons. METHODS Head impact exposure was evaluated in 103 football players (11-14 yr) who participated in a community-based youth tackle football program, up to 2 yr, with the same coaching staff over eight consecutive seasons (2012-2019). Head impact exposure was assessed using the Head Impact Telemetry System. Median of individual mean head impacts per session (HIPS) and median of individual 50th and 95th percentile head impact magnitudes were compared across seasons. RESULTS There were 33,519 head impacts measured throughout the study. Median HIPS for all sessions decreased every year, with a significant reduction from 2012 to 2019 (11.1 vs 2.3 HIPS; P < 0.05). Median game HIPS were significantly reduced in 2019 compared with 2012-14 (5.00 vs 16.30-17.75 HIPS; P < 0.05). Median practice HIPS were reduced by 81.3%, whereas median game HIPS were reduced by 69.3%. Median 50th and 95th percentile linear and rotational acceleration were lower in 2019 compared with some earlier years but remained unchanged during games. CONCLUSIONS Head impacts incurred by youth football players decreased substantially over eight seasons, with players in the final year sustaining approximately one fifth the HIPS as players experienced during the first year. The most prominent decline occurred in practices, although players also had much fewer head impacts in games. These results suggest that coaches' and/or players' behavior can be modified to greatly reduce the head impact burden in youth football.
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8
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Pankow MP, Syrydiuk RA, Kolstad AT, Hayden AK, Dennison CR, Mrazik M, Hagel BE, Emery CA. Head Games: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Examining Concussion and Head Impact Incidence Rates, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies in Youth Tackle Football. Sports Med 2021; 52:1259-1272. [PMID: 34894348 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01609-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims were to (1) examine the rates and mechanisms of concussion and head impact in youth football (high school level or younger); (2) identify modifiable risk factors for concussion and head impact; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies in tackle football at any level. METHODS Nine databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; EMBASE; ERIC; Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database; PsycINFO; Scopus; and SPORTDiscus with Full Text) were searched using the search strategy focusing on four main concepts: concussion/head impact, tackle football, modifiable risk factors, and primary prevention. Two reviewers completed title, abstract, and full-text screening as well as risk of bias assessment (using the Downs and Black checklist), with a third author available to resolve any disagreements. MAIN RESULTS After removing duplicates, 1911 articles were returned. Fifty-eight articles were included in the review and 20 in the meta-analysis. The overall combined rates of concussion (including game and practice-related concussion) based on the meta-analysis were 0.78 concussions/1000 athlete exposures [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.89] for high school football (ages 13-19) and 1.15 concussions/1000 athlete exposures (95% CI 0.89-1.41) for minor football players (ages 5-15). There is evidence that contact training and practice contact restrictions have reduced the rate of head impacts and concussion. Heads Up Football (an intervention focused on coach education and contact training) has been shown to reduce the rate of concussion by 32% and head impacts by 38% amongst high school football players. Limiting contact practices in high schools to 2 days per week reduced practice head impacts per player-season by 42%, and limiting full contact in practice to 75 min per week in the second week of the season and 60 min in week 3 and beyond resulted in a 54% decrease in the practice-related concussion rate (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS This review identified a critical need for interventions to address the high rates of concussion and head impact in youth football. To date, contact training and contact restrictions have the strongest evidence supporting their effectiveness at reducing these rates. Future research should use consistent concussion definitions and validated injury surveillance systems, and ensure complete reporting of participant characteristics and sampling details. Prospero ID CRD42020193775.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Patrick Pankow
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. .,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - R A Syrydiuk
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - A T Kolstad
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - A K Hayden
- Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - C R Dennison
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Biomedical Instrumentation Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - M Mrazik
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - B E Hagel
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - C A Emery
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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9
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Relationship Between Time-Weighted Head Impact Exposure on Directional Changes in Diffusion Imaging in Youth Football Players. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:2852-2862. [PMID: 34549344 PMCID: PMC8978207 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02862-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 3.5 million youth and adolescents in the US play football, a sport with one of the highest rates of concussion. Repeated subconcussive head impact exposure (HIE) may lead to negative neurological sequelae. To understand HIE as an independent predictive variable, quantitative cumulative kinematic metrics have been developed to capture the volume (i.e., number), severity (i.e., magnitude), and frequency (i.e., time-weighting by the interval between head impacts). In this study, time-weighted cumulative HIE metrics were compared with directional changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics. Changes in DTI conducted on a per-season, per-player basis were assessed as a dependent variable. Directional changes were defined separately as increases and decreases in the number of abnormal voxels relative to non-contact sport controls. Biomechanical and imaging data from 117 athletes (average age 11.9 ± 1.0 years) enrolled in this study was analyzed. Cumulative HIE metrics were more strongly correlated with increases in abnormal voxels than decreases in abnormal voxels. Additionally, across DTI sub-measures, increases and decreases in mean diffusivity (MD) had the strongest relationships with HIE metrics (increases in MD: average R2 = 0.1753, average p = 0.0002; decreases in MD: average R2 = 0.0997, average p = 0.0073). This encourages further investigation into the physiological phenomena represented by directional changes.
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10
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Sarmiento K, Waltzman D, Devine O, Zhang X, DePadilla L, Kresnow MJ, Borradaile K, Hurwitz A, Jones D, Goyal R, Breiding MJ. Differences in Head Impact Exposures Between Youth Tackle and Flag Football Games and Practices: Potential Implications for Prevention Strategies. Am J Sports Med 2021; 49:2218-2226. [PMID: 33999722 PMCID: PMC8335321 DOI: 10.1177/03635465211011754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interventions designed to reduce the risk for head impacts and concussion in youth football have increased over the past decade; however, understanding of the role of regular game play on head impact exposure among youth tackle and flag football athletes is currently limited. PURPOSE To explore head impact exposure among youth tackle and flag football athletes (age range, 6-14 years) during both practices and games. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS Using the Vector MouthGuard sensor, the authors collected head impact data from 524 tackle and flag youth football athletes over the course of a football season. Quantities of interest were estimated from regression models using Bayesian methods. RESULTS For impacts ≥10g, a tackle football athlete had an estimated 17.55 (95% CI, 10.78-28.96) times more head impacts per practice compared with a flag football athlete (6.85 [95% CI, 6.05-7.76] and 0.39 [95% CI, 0.24-0.62] head impacts, respectively). Additionally, a tackle football athlete had an estimated 19.48 (95% CI, 12.74-29.98) times more head impacts per game compared with a flag football athlete (13.59 [95% CI, 11.97-15.41] and 0.70 [95% CI, 0.46-1.05] head impacts, respectively). Among tackle football athletes, the estimated average impact rate was 6.51 (95% CI, 5.75-7.37) head impacts during a practice and 12.97 (95% CI, 11.36-14.73) impacts during a game, resulting in 2.00 (95% CI, 1.74-2.29) times more ≥10g head impacts in games versus practices. Tackle football athletes had 2.06 (95% CI, 1.80-2.34) times more high-magnitude head impacts (≥40g) during a game than during a practice. On average, flag football athletes experienced an estimated 0.37 (95% CI, 0.20-0.60) head impacts during a practice and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.53-1.06) impacts during a game, resulting in 2.06 (95% CI, 1.29-3.58) times more ≥10g head impacts in games versus practices. Because of model instability caused by a large number of zero impacts for flag football athletes, a comparison of high-magnitude head impacts is not reported for practices or games. CONCLUSION This study provides a characterization of the head impact exposure of practices and games among a large population of youth tackle and flag football athletes aged 6 to 14 years. These findings suggest that a greater focus on game-based interventions, such as fair play interventions and strict officiating, may be beneficial to reduce head impact exposures for youth football athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sarmiento
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Address correspondence to Kelly Sarmiento, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS S106-09, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA ()
| | - Dana Waltzman
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Xinjian Zhang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lara DePadilla
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Overdose Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcie-Jo Kresnow
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - David Jones
- Mathematica Policy Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ravi Goyal
- Mathematica Policy Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Matthew J. Breiding
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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11
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DiGuglielmo DM, Milef GM, Moore JB, Kelley ME, Powers AK, Stitzel JD, Urban JE. Effect of Coach Feedback and Awareness of Head Impact Exposure on Practice Structure in Youth Football. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:1389-1398. [PMID: 33397198 PMCID: PMC8082724 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the concern of concussion risk and repetitive head impacts in youth football, organizations have adopted rules that limit contact during practice. However, rule changes are not ubiquitous among organizations and are challenging to monitor and enforce. Ultimately, football practice activities are determined by coaches, but it is unknown whether providing objective data to coaches relating activities to their athletes' head impact exposure (HIE) would alter practice structure or help reduce HIE. This study evaluated the effect of coach awareness of HIE on practice structure over time. Head impact data from three intervention (56 players) and three control (38 players) teams were collected over two youth football seasons. Athletes were instrumented with the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System and time-synchronized video was recorded for practices and games. Impact frequencies and head accelerations were compiled into weekly HIE practice and game reports and shared with the head coach of each intervention team. Time per drill, impact rate, and impact magnitude were compared across three time frames (pre-season, mid-season, and late-season) using generalized linear models. Control teams had higher impact rates than intervention teams in all drills across time frames. Among all teams, 95th percentile linear and rotational accelerations were highest during mid-season. Among intervention teams, more time was spent on scrimmage and skill development from pre-season to late-season, with less time spent on tackling. This study suggests that receiving objective data informing HIE in practice may contribute to changes in practice structure and help inform intervention efforts to improve head impact safety in football.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella M. DiGuglielmo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gabriella M. Milef
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Justin B. Moore
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mireille E. Kelley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander K. Powers
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joel D. Stitzel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jillian E. Urban
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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12
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Alosco ML, Stern RA. Youth Exposure to Repetitive Head Impacts From Tackle Football and Long-term Neurologic Outcomes: A Review of the Literature, Knowledge Gaps and Future Directions, and Societal and Clinical Implications. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2019; 30:107-116. [PMID: 31235012 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Youth participation in contact and collision sports, particularly tackle football, is associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts during a time period when tremendous brain maturation is occurring. Accumulating evidence suggests that exposure to repetitive head impacts from youth tackle football may increase vulnerability to long-term cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and neurologic disturbances. There are limitations to the current literature and conflicting findings exist. Nonetheless, participation in youth football has become a cause of concern to clinicians, scientists, politicians, coaches, parents, and children. The objective of this paper is to review the literature on the long-term cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and neurologic outcomes associated with participation in youth contact and collision sports, with a focus on tackle football. We provide an overview of the empirically derived framework that has served as the foundation for the investigation of youth tackle football and neurologic outcomes. The extant research studies on age of first exposure to tackle football and later-life cognitive and neuropsychiatric functioning, as well as structural brain changes are reviewed. We discuss the limitations of the current evidence, suggest future directions, and conclude with our opinions on societal and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Alosco
- Boston University (BU), Alzheimer's Disease Center, BU CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Robert A Stern
- Boston University (BU), Alzheimer's Disease Center, BU CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; Departments of Neurosurgery and Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.
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13
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Lynall RC, Lempke LB, Johnson RS, Anderson MN, Schmidt JD. A Comparison of Youth Flag and Tackle Football Head Impact Biomechanics. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:1752-1757. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Lynall
- Department of Kinesiology, UGA Concussion Research Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Landon B. Lempke
- Department of Kinesiology, UGA Concussion Research Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Rachel S. Johnson
- Department of Kinesiology, UGA Concussion Research Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Melissa N. Anderson
- Department of Kinesiology, UGA Concussion Research Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Julianne D. Schmidt
- Department of Kinesiology, UGA Concussion Research Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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14
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Gellner RA, Campolettano ET, Smith EP, Rowson S. Are specific players more likely to be involved in high-magnitude head impacts in youth football? J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019; 24:47-53. [PMID: 31026823 DOI: 10.3171/2019.2.peds18176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Youth football attracts approximately 3.5 million participants every year, but concern has recently arisen about the long-term effects of experiencing repetitive head accelerations from a young age due to participation in football. The objective of this study was to quantify total involvement in high-magnitude impacts among individual players in youth football practices. The authors explored the relationship between the total number of high-magnitude accelerations in which players were involved (experienced either by themselves or by other players) during practices and the number of high-magnitude accelerations players experienced. METHODS A local cohort of 94 youth football players (mean age 11.9 ± 1.5, mean body mass 50.3 ± 16.4 kg) from 4 different teams were recruited and outfitted with helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays. The teams were followed for one season each for a total of 128 sessions (practices, games, and scrimmages). All players involved in high-magnitude (greater than 40g) head accelerations were subsequently identified through analysis of practice film. RESULTS Players who experienced more high-magnitude accelerations were more likely to be involved in impacts associated with high-magnitude accelerations in other players. A small subset of 6 players (6%) were collectively involved in 230 (53%) high-magnitude impacts during practice, were involved in but did not experience a high-magnitude acceleration 78 times (21% of the 370 one-sided high-magnitude impacts), and experienced 152 (30%) of the 502 high-magnitude accelerations measured. Quarterbacks/running backs/linebackers were involved in the greatest number of high-magnitude impacts in practice and experienced the greatest number of high-magnitude accelerations. Which team a player was on was an important factor, as one team showed much greater head impact exposure than all others. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that targeting the most impact-prone players for individualized interventions could reduce high-magnitude acceleration exposure for entire teams. These data will help to further quantify elevated head acceleration exposure and enable data-driven interventions that modify exposure for individual players and entire teams.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eric P Smith
- 2Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Steven Rowson
- Departments of1Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics and
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