Concussion Risk in Pre–High School Football Players

Football-related concussion incidence was 5% among players aged 5 to 14 years, most frequently from head-to-head contact.

While football-related concussion has been highly scrutinized in high school, college, and professional athletes, less is known of the risk in pre–high school football. In a prospective cohort study, researchers assessed risk for and natural history of concussion during two seasons of a Seattle-area youth football league for participants aged 5 to 14 years.

Among 863 total players, comprising 966 player-seasons (i.e., 133 children played both seasons), 113 concussions were suspected and 51 were confirmed by an independent clinician overseeing the study (incidence rate, 5% per player-season). Other results were as follows:

Two thirds of concussions occurred during games, and nearly half were from head-to-head contact.
Concussions were more like…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Concussion Risk in Pre–High School Football Players

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Reviewing Author