Football-related catastrophic brain injuries increase

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found catastrophic brain injuries associated with full-contact football appear to be increasing, especially among high school students.

The findings, as noted in the most recent annual report from the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research and in a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill release, indicate more coaches and athletic trainers should alter how they teach the fundamental skills of the game.

The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research has collected data and published annual reports on catastrophic football injures — including fatalities, disabilities and serious injuries — for 48 years.

“These 2011 numbers are the highest since we began collecting catastrophic brain injury data,” Fred O. Mueller, PhD, lead author, stated in the release. “This is a major problem.”

The number of football-related brain injuries with permanent disability in high school had remained in the single digits since 1984, according to the release. However, this tally increased to 10 injuries in 2008 and 2009, with 13 incidences in 2011.

According to the report, 67% of football-related catastrophic incidences since 1977 have occurred as players were making tackles. Mueller noted in the release that part of the problem is despite being prohibited in 1976, head-to-head contact is still occurring.

Between 2001 and 2010, the report noted, there was a 25% increase over the previous decade in football-related brain injuries resulting in disability.

Reversing the trend, Mueller noted in the release, requires coaches to be well versed in the signs and symptoms of concussion — as well as willing to remove players from games if those symptoms are demonstrated. Players should not return to play until cleared by a physician, and teams should hold preseason meetings to discuss concussions.

The authors recommend schools hire coaches who teach proper fundamental skills. Further, referees must be vigilant about throwing flags when they see illegal tackles and parents must be involved in meetings and discussions about concussions.

“All of these measures are important if we want to continue to make a positive impact on the game,” he stated in the release. “We have to continue 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.”

Reference:

Mueller FO, Cantu RC. Annual survey of catastrophic football injuries, 1977-2011.

www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/FBCATReport2011.pdf