A Comparison of Youth Flag and Tackle Football Head Impact Biomechanics

• DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6236
• Publication Date: 2019-01-18T04:10:06Z
• Authors: Robert C. Lynall; Landon B. Lempke; Rachel S. Johnson; Melissa N. Anderson; Julianne D. Schmidt
• Keywords: Odds; Linear acceleration; Football players; Flag (linear algebra); American football

Our purpose was to describe the youth flag football head impact burden and make comparisons with tackle football. Head frequency magnitude (linear acceleration [g], rotational [rad/s2]) were collected from 25 players over one season. Athlete exposure (AE) defined as player participating in session. rates (IR) calculated rate ratios (IRR) used compare Random-intercept generalized logit models odds compared probabilities of sustaining an a linear 20.00–29.99g, 30.00–39.99g, ≥40.00g against reference 14.00–19.99g 2500.00–7499.99 rad/s2 or ≥7500.00 ≤2499.99 between We observed 1908 impacts (735 games, 38.5%) across 624 AE 169 (101 59.8%) 255 AE. Youth experienced higher overall IR (3.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.61, 3.58; IRR = 4.61, CI: 3.94, 5.40) (IR 0.66, 0.57, 0.78). had lower >20g but players. preliminary sample sustained less frequent at accelerations than Flag is considered limited-contact sport, little known about true burden. findings may be important for policymakers when debating potential changes participation.