Subconcussive Head Impacts and Neurocognitive Function Over 3 Seasons of Youth Football

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the association between repetitive subconcussive head impacts and neurobehavioral outcomes in youth tackle football players.

Methods:

Using helmet-based sensors, we measured head impacts for 3 consecutive seasons of play in 29 male players age 9-11. Cumulative impact g’s were calculated. Players completed a battery of outcome measures before and after each season, including neuropsychological testing, vestibular-ocular sensitivity, and self- and parent-reported measures of symptoms and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Results:

Average cumulative impact over 3 seasons was 13 900g. High-intensity hits predicted worse change for self-reported social adjustment (P = .001). Cumulative impact did not predict change in any of the outcome measures. History of ADHD, anxiety, and depression predicted worse change for self-reported symptoms and social adjustment, independent of head impacts. When players were stratified into 3 groups based on cumulative impact across all 3 seasons, differences in outcome measures existed prior to the start of the first season. These differences did not further increase over the course of the 3 seasons.

Conclusion:

Over 3 consecutive seasons of youth tackle football, we found no association between cumulative head impacts and neurobehavioral outcomes. Larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times would further assist in characterizing this relationship.