Name, Image, and Likeness and the Health of the Young Athlete: A Call to Action for Sports Medicine Providers and the Athletic Healthcare Network

CONTEXT

In June 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted a new policy allowing NCAA athletes the opportunity to benefit and profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Several state high-school associations have established policies to guide their members and students through the new era of NIL. While the potential benefits cannot be ignored, NIL presents novel responsibilities and stressors to athletes. This paper will review the paucity of literature on the effect of NIL on youth athletes and bring attention to mental health, well-being, or academic performance impacted by NIL.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Articles were identified through Google and PubMed search starting from NIL policy approval (June 30, 2021). Search terms included "name, image and likeness" and "NIL."

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical commentary.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 5.

RESULTS

Although 1 article was identified through PubMed search and numerous articles were identified through Google search, no articles directly evaluated the effects of NIL on the mental health, well-being, or academic performance of youth athletes.

CONCLUSION

It is critical for sports medicine providers and other members of the athletic healthcare network to familiarize themselves with these emerging topics to best serve their patients and communities. The athletic healthcare network must be prepared to address possible NIL-related health ramifications for our patients and their families and help them navigate a confusing and predatory landscape. We must provide resources to youth athletes to minimize the risks associated with NIL involvement and related activities, and to ensure that athletes with NIL contracts are able to balance their academic and athletic responsibilities. Fostering strong relationships between stakeholders and sports medicine staff is paramount to creating an environment that permits honest discussions about NIL and the health of athletes from youth to adulthood.

STRENGTH-OF-RECOMMENDATION TAXONOMY

N/A.

Review of Media Representation of Sport Concussion and Implications for Youth Sports

Participation in sport can incur a risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Media representation of SRC is frequently at odds with up-to-date scientific data. Our findings confirm a significant amount of false, confusing, or misleading terminology used in reporting on the topic, which is concerning as media is as a major source of SRC information. Individuals have a variable base of knowledge pertaining to this injury, and accurate understanding of SRC does not always correlate to appropriate action. Inaccurate portrayal of SRC media may contribute to the confusion surrounding it. Popular media presents an opportunity to convey evidence-based information on SRC.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities Modify Recovery and Sport Behavior Following Sport-Related Concussion

Limited evidence exists concerning how a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or learning disabilities (ADHD/LD) modifies recovery and behavior following sport-related concussion (SRC). To understand how ADHD/LD modifies the post-SRC experience, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of concussed young athletes through phone interviews with patients and guardians. Outcomes included time until symptom resolution (SR) and return-to-learn (RTL), plus subjective changes in post-SRC activity and sports behavior. Multivariate Cox and logistic regression was performed, adjusting for biopsychosocial characteristics. The ADHD/LD diagnosis was independently associated with worse outcomes, including lower likelihood to achieve SR (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.41-0.94]; P = .02) and RTL (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = [0.36-0.83]; P < .01) at any time following injury, and increased odds of changing sport behavior after concussion (odds ratio [OR] = 3.26, 95% CI = [1.26-8.42], P = .02), often to a safer style of play (62.5% vs 39.6%; P = .02) or retiring from the sport (37.5% vs 18.5%; P = .02). These results provide further evidence of the unique needs for athletes with ADHD/LD following SRC.

Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Sport-Related Concussion

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sport-related concussion (SRC) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have been thrust into the national spotlight, with youth athletes bearing the burden of this public health problem. The current review aims to provide a practical summary of pediatric SRC, including key terminology, return to play/school, and risk factors for post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

RECENT FINDINGS

While the majority of youth athletes recover within 2 to 4 weeks, approximately 10% of athletes experience a protracted recovery with symptoms lasting months, impacting social, scholastic, and sporting activities. In the pediatric population, the strongest predictors of PCS are initial symptom burden and prior concussion, with mixed results behind the factors of gender, headaches, and learning disability. The role of psychiatric, family history, sports, and socioeconomic factors remain in their infancy.

Team versus individual sport participation as a modifying factor in the development of post-concussion syndrome after first concussion: A pilot study

Identification of modifying factors that influence the development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) following sport-related concussion (SRC) has drawn considerable interest. In this pilot study, we investigate the effect of team vs. individual sport participation on the development of PCS in a sample of 136 high school and college student-athletes. Controlling for several confounding variables, we employed a binary logistic regression and chi-squared test. Results of this pilot study indicate that participation in team versus individual sport is not a significant factor in the development of PCS. The identification of other forms of protective mechanisms is discussed.