Study of football players suggests concussions caused by series of hits

A 2-year study of high school football players suggests that concussions are likely caused by many hits over time and not from a single blow to the head, according to findings published in the Journal of Biomechanics.

“The most important implication of the new findings is the suggestion that a concussion is not just the result of a single blow, but it’s really the totality of blows that took place over the season,” Eric A. Nauman, PhD, stated in a Purdue University news release. “The one hit that brought on the concussion is arguably the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Purdue University researchers have studied football players for two seasons at a high school in Indiana. Twenty-one players completed the study in the first season, and 24 completed it the second season. Sixteen of the players were in both seasons of the study.

For each player, the researchers compared acceleration sensor impact data (taken from sensors placed in the players’ helmets) to functional MRI scans and cognitive tests performed before, during and after each season. Any changes in the findings were, according to the abstract, related through stepwise regression to the history of blows recorded throughout the football season and up to the date of the scan.

The study abstract noted that, in addition to those subjects who sustained concussions, numerous subjects who did not sustain concussions “showed significant neurophysiological changes.”

“Over the two seasons we had six concussed players, but 17 of the players showed brain changes even though they did not have concussions,” study author Thomas M. Talavage, PhD, stated in the release. “There is good correlation with the number of hits players received, but we need more subjects.”

The changes were seen in regions of the brain that have been associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to the release.

“Now that we know there is definitely a buildup of damage before the concussion occurs, ultimately, there is hope that we can do more to prevent concussions,” Nauman stated in the release.

Reference:

Breedlove EL, Talavage TM, Robinson M, et al. Biomechanical correlates of symptomatic and asymptomatic neurophysiological impairment in high school football. J Biomech. 2012. Published online.

www.purdue.edu

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