Author Interviews, Eating Disorders, Exercise - Fitness, JAMA, Pediatrics / 31.12.2021
Youth Tackle Football: Study Evaluates Effects of Head Impacts Across 4 Seasons
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Sean C. Rose, MD
Child Neurology
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Ohio State University, Columbus
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between repetitive head impacts during youth contact sports and worse neurocognitive outcomes. Most research has been conducted in older adults, while the research in children is mostly limited to 1-2 sports seasons.
Sean C. Rose, MD
Child Neurology
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Ohio State University, Columbus
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between repetitive head impacts during youth contact sports and worse neurocognitive outcomes. Most research has been conducted in older adults, while the research in children is mostly limited to 1-2 sports seasons.


Sean C. Rose, MD
Pediatric sports neurologist and co-director
Complex Concussion Clinic
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Assistant professor of Pediatrics
The Ohio State University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The link between sub-concussive head impacts and declines in neurocognitive function has been reported by some studies, yet refuted by others. There is very little evidence that has been collected in children as they are sustaining these head impacts.
We initiated a multi-year study of youth football players to provide a more in-depth look at the question. We measured head impacts using helmet sensors during the 2016 football season. 112 players age 9-18 completed a battery of neurocognitive tests before and after the football season.
We found that neither the total burden of head impacts nor the intensity of individual impacts were associated with changes in testing performance from pre to post-season.
Dr. Smith[/caption]
Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH
Director, Center for Injury Research and Policy
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: When residential fires happen at night while people are sleeping, deaths are more likely to occur. Smoke alarms are important for preventing these deaths, yet many young children don’t wake up to traditional high-pitch tone alarms. Children sleep longer and deeper than adults and require louder sounds to awaken than adults. For these reasons, children are less likely to awaken and escape a nighttime home fire.