New study highlights the brain trauma risks for young athletes
The Boston University CTE Center today reported the results of the largest-ever study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in young athletes.
- The Boston University CTE Center today reported the results of the largest-ever study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in young athletes.
- The study, examining autopsied tissue, found signs of CTE in 63 out of 152 young athlete brains.
- The subjects of the study competed in youth, high school and college competitions, and all died before the age of 30.
CTE and young athletes
- However, some high-profile cases of CTE have been identified among younger athletes.
- In Australia, much-loved NRL player and coach Paul Green was 49 when he died and was later found to have CTE.
- The risk factors for young athletes are complex and multifaceted but it is likely that playing junior contact sport heightens an athlete’s risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases as an adult.
- For the athletes in the Boston University study to develop CTE before the age of 30, it is likely they were exposed to repeated brain trauma from an early age through youth sport.
Are contact sports safe for kids?
- Public health advocates in North America, Australia, New Zealand Aotearoa and the United Kingdom have long expressed concerns about the risks of contact sport for children.
- Improved oversight would go some way toward reducing the serious health risks of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion).
First steps
- To protect them from the disease, contact sporting bodies must reduce young athletes’ lifetime exposure to brain trauma.
- One way to do this would be to restrict contact in training and games for juniors.
- Some sporting bodies have already taken the initial steps.
- Australian Rules football players are restricted to modified tackling until the age of 12.
- The National Rugby League will soon implement a ban on tackling until midway through under-7s competitions.