Head Impact Exposure in Youth Football: Elementary School Ages 9–12 Years and the Effect of Practice Structure

• DOI: 10.1007/s10439-013-0867-6
• Publication Date: 2013-07-24T12:42:21Z
• Authors: Bryan R. Cobb; Jillian E. Urban; Elizabeth M. Dave...; Steven Rowson; Stefan M. Duma; Joseph A. Maldjian; Christopher T. Wh...; Alexander K. Powers; Joel D. Stitzel
• Keywords: American football; Team sport; Limiting; Football players

Head impact exposure in youth football has not been well-documented, despite children under the age of 14 accounting for 70% all players United States. The objective this study was to quantify head players, 9–12, practices and games over course single season. A total 50 (age = 11.0 ± 1.1 years) on three teams were equipped with helmet mounted accelerometer arrays, which monitored each sustained during games. During season, 11,978 impacts recorded group. Players averaged 240 147 season linear rotational 95th percentile magnitudes 43 7 g 2034 361 rad/s2. Overall, practice game sessions involved similar frequencies magnitudes. One however, had substantially fewer per lower due a concerted effort limit contact practices. same team also participated practices, further reducing number player experienced practice. exposures showed no statistical difference. While acceleration among 9–12 year old tended be than those reported older some high magnitude seen at school college level. may appreciably reduced by limiting Further research is required assess whether such reduction will result concussion incidence.