Study Examines Neurocognitive Function in Children Playing Tackle Football

Concerns Over Head Impacts in Contact Sports

The participation of children in contact sports, particularly tackle football, raises concerns among medical professionals and parents. Head impacts sustained during play can potentially lead to both short- and long-term neurocognitive effects.

Research Overview

A study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma focused on children aged nine to 18 who played tackle football. Researchers conducted assessments before the football season began, which included evaluations of balance, cognitive abilities, parent-reported ADHD symptoms, self-reported behavioral adjustments, symptom assessments, and vestibular and ocular-motor screenings. These assessments were repeated at the end of the season to evaluate any changes in neurocognitive function.

Methodology

Throughout the season, the young athletes wore helmets equipped with sensors that detected sub-concussive head impacts during games and practices.

Key Findings

The results indicated that head impacts did not significantly affect neurocognitive function over the two years of the study. Factors such as a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and younger age were found to have a more pronounced impact on neurocognitive measures than head impacts themselves.

Implications for Future Research

Despite these findings, concerns regarding contact sports and repeated head impacts persist, particularly regarding their effects on children’s neurocognitive function. The study suggests that evaluating neurocognitive function well after head impacts may reveal changes that were not immediately apparent.

Researchers have released findings from the initial two years of the study and plan to continue their investigation for an additional two years to explore potential delayed effects.

References

Sean C. Rose, Keith Owen Yeates, Joseph T. Nguyen, Matthew T. McCarthy, Patrick M. Ercole, and Natalie M. Pizzimenti. (2019). Neurocognitive Function and Head Impact Burden over Two Seasons of Youth Tackle Football. Journal of Neurotrauma. Published Online: 17 Jun 2019 https://doi.org/10.1089/neu.2019.6519

Study finds no correlation between brain function & head impacts after 2 seasons of tackle football. 2019, https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-07/nch-sfn071019.php, assessed 11 June, 2019.