Concussions For Student Football Players Are More Likely To Occur During Practice, Study Found

New findings published in JAMA Pediatrics reveal that concussions among football players oftentimes occur during high school and college team practices.

Researchers examined data from the Youth Football Surveillance System, National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network, and National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Programs to determine the prevalence and patterns among many student athletes.

From the 2012 to 2013 seasons, there was a total of 1,198 concussions reported, with 11.8 percent in young athletes and 66.4 percent in high school athletes. Another 21.9 percent was also found in college athletes.

The study results suggest that about 53.9 percent of concussions occurred in youth football games for high school and college teams with 57.7 percent and 57.6 percent respectively occurring during practice.

The college concussion rate was 3,74 for every 1,000 athlete exposures (AEs); 2.38 for every 1,000 AEs among high school students; and 0.66 per 1,000 AEs in youths. However, football players aged 7 and younger reported no concussions, despite having the highest rates of athlete exposures, with one player participating in a game or practice.

Researchers believe there could be a number of reasons that might explain the discrepancy, including the differences between older and younger practices. As many get larger as they age, they of course can do more damage to others. Furthermore, as late as high school, coaches are still teaching players to tackle properly, pitting one another against each other.

However, other reasons still may be due to more nuanced coaches who are not trained to recognize the signs of a concussion, according to Reuters.