According to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), catastrophic brain injuries linked to full-contact football may be rising, specifically among high school students. A recent annual report from the UNC-based National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research indicates that up until recently, the number of football-related brain injuries with permanent disabilities in high school remained in the single digits but rose up to 10 injuries in 2008 and 2009, and increased once more to 13 injuries in 2011.

Fred Mueller, PhD, the report’s lead author, director of the center and professor emeritus of exercise and sports science in the college of arts and sciences, notes that the recorded 2011 numbers rank among highest since UNC researchers began collecting catastrophic data. According to UNC, the center has collected data and published annual reports on catastrophic football injuries, including fatalities, disabilities, and serious injuries for 48 years.

The data indicates that since 1977, players have sustained 67% of football-related catastrophic injuries during tackles. Mueller spotlights tactics such as head-to-head contact, which can make the head the initial and primary contact point and may result in cervical spine fractures or permanent brain injuries. To reverse the rising trend, Mueller calls for coaches to become well versed in the signs and symptoms of concussions and pull players from the games if they exhibit any concussion-related indicators. Mueller adds that players should not be allowed to return to play until cleared by a physician and urges teams to educate players in pre-season meetings about concussions, encourage players not to use the head in tackling or blocking, and conduct evaluations of all players.

The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research report also recommends schools hire coaches who teach fundamental skills and ensure that athletic trainers are certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. The recommendations reportedly call for greater vigilance among referees in throwing flags when an illegal tackle is made and parent involvement in discussions and meetings about concussions.

Mueller emphasizes the importance of these measures and the positive impact their implementation may make on the game, “We have to continue to research in this area. Accurate data not only indicate problem spots, but they also help us offer appropriate precautions and reveal the adequacy of our preventive measures,” Mueller says.

Source: UNC