Study risk of concussions

Concussions suffered today by high school players could affect them years from now.

NFL players no doubt hit and get hit harder than most high school or college football players. Nonetheless, nonprofessional players who sustain concussions in a game might suffer the same long-term impairment some pros do.

During recent testimony on Capitol Hill, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would not acknowledge a connection between head injuries on the football field and later brain diseases. Nonetheless, he conceded that the NFL is taking steps to make the game safer.

Although Goodell refused to make the connection, some medical experts have, saying that pro players might have a higher rate than normal of Alzheimer's disease or other memory afflictions. And it is easy enough to extrapolate that high school and college players face a similar risk.

Every year, nearly 1 in 10 high school football players has a concussion. Unfortunately, experts say that little is known about the long-term medical risks of concussion for football players at any level. No one has followed players systematically for a decade or more to see what effect concussions might have.

Until more is known, experts say, players, coaches and parents must learn to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and be ready to pull affected players out of competition until a health professional clears them to play again.

“When in doubt, sit them out,” said Mark Lovell, who directs the sports medicine concussion program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has begun to collect data on long-term consequences of high school concussions.

Some experts also recommend that every high school have a certified athletic trainer on the sidelines at both games and practices. They also recommend fewer full-contact practices to reduce risk of concussions.

We hope more researchers will follow Lovell's example and begin to compile data now on concussions so the long-term effects can be better understood. We also hope those involved in football at any level will take the advice of experts and seek ways to make the game safer and reduce the number of concussions.

It is frightening to think that what might be considered a routine football injury today could mean devastating cognitive impairment later. Players, coaches and parents need the facts so they can assess the risk.