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Citation |
DiGuglielmo DM, Milef GM, Moore JB, Kelley ME, Powers AK, Stitzel JD, Urban JE. J. Neurotrauma 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2021, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
With the concern of concussion risk and repetitive head impacts in youth football, organizations have adopted rules that limit contact during practice. However, rule changes are not ubiquitous among organizations and are challenging to monitor and enforce. Ultimately, American football practice activities are determined by coaches, but it is unknown whether providing objective data to coaches relating activities to their athletes' head impact exposure (HIE) would alter practice structure or help reduce HIE. This study evaluated the effect of coach awareness of HIE on practice structure over time. Head impact data from three intervention (56 players) and control (38 players) teams were collected over two youth football seasons. Athletes were instrumented with the Head Impact Telemetry (HIT) System and time-synchronized video was recorded for practices and games. Impact frequencies and head accelerations were compiled into weekly HIE practice and game reports shared with the head coach of each intervention team. Time per drill, impact rate, and impact magnitude were compared among three time frames (pre-season, mid-season, and late-season) using generalized linear models. Control teams had higher impact rates than intervention teams in all drills across time frames. Among all teams, 95th percentile linear and rotational accelerations were highest during mid-season. Among intervention teams, more time was spent on scrimmage and skill development from pre-season to late-season, with less time spent on tackling. This study suggests receiving objective data informing HIE in practice may contribute to changes in practice structure and help inform intervention efforts to improve head impact safety in American football. Language: en |
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Keywords |
HEAD TRAUMA; PEDIATRIC BRAIN INJURY; TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY |