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Study identifies number of brain, spinal cord injury deaths among high school, college football players
In an analysis of data between 2005 to 2014, investigators found a yearly average of 2.8 deaths from traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries related to football-specific activities among high school and college players.
“These findings support continued surveillance and safety efforts to ensure proper tackling techniques, emergency planning and medical care, particularly during competition, and adherence to protocols for safe return-to-play after a concussion,” the researchers wrote. “These measures will also reduce the risk for concussion and improve treatment and management after a concussion is sustained.”
Using data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR), researchers analyzed fatalities from traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries among high school and college football players during a nearly 10-year period. Data collected included athlete age, level of play, player position and activity, injury type, medical care and cause of death.
Of the 28 deaths, 24 occurred in high school players (average of 2.4 deaths per year) and four were among college players (average of 0.4 deaths per year). All fatalities among the college players stemmed from brain injuries compared with 22 deaths from head/brain injuries among the high school players. Overall, the most common diagnosis for fatalities among all players was subdural hematoma.
Of the 22 high school players who died from a brain injury, four players sustained a concussion within 4 weeks of the event. Second impact syndrome was linked in three out of the four events.
According to researchers, 20 of the fatalities among the high school players occurred either during a game or the regular season. Moreover, 17 of these fatalities were linked to tackling or being tackled.
Of the four deaths that occurred in college football players, two were during the regular season and two were during spring football. Head first/head down contact occurred in eight out of the 28 deaths. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo and Gina Brockenbrough, MA
Disclosures: Kucera reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.