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The teenage brain is special. Less plastic than a child's developing brain, but not yet with all of the executive functions of an adult noggin. And that makes them more vulnerable to long-term effects of head injury, according to new research. Especially when it comes to sports-related concussions.
In football, soccer, hockey or rugby, the top-front of the head usually receives the brunt of the blow. And that region is where the all-important executive function areas are forming for teenagers: the frontal cortex.
To learn more, researchers recruited 96 male sports participants ages nine through 26--half of whom had had a diagnosed concussion in the past year. Using a battery of memory, attention, motor tests and EEG monitors, the researchers found that all of the concussed athletes showed reduced working memory.
But the adolescents had the most cognitive impairment, even if months had passed since their injury, and they reported feeling just fine. The findings are in the journal Brain Injury. [Annie Baillargeon et al., "Neuropsychological and Neurophysiological Assessment of Sport Concussion In Children, Adolescents and Adults"]
So for high school athletes, a rough hit could lead to problems lasting longer than a bad headache.
--Katherine Harmon
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
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7 Comments
Add CommentThis is one of those survey's that our lovely PC public grab hold an run with to stop our childrem playing sport and then complain about how bad our nation is with fat kids. It's a shame we don't let children be children any more, as we try to do all the growing up for them. I would suggest another job- something that produces something not wasteing paper. I have it go and grow some food or make some cakes and feed the poor. better than doing this.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisto BrettD
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you think that the benefits of playing sport outweigh the risks, then its perfectly valid to make that judgement - there is no need to try to rubbish the research. Its better to hear the research, have the knowledge and then make that judgement.
this study is incomplete--only way to know for sure is to be testing cognitive ability BEFORE and AFTER concussions of the same people. How are the demographics tested? the kids playing in the early years are not necessarily the same type of population in later years, nor as adults. And have these teens been later tested after a few years to see if their abilities have changed? I work with teens, and sometimes the mind is a bit myterious especially with so much changing and social interaction at this age group, regardless of a concussion. I do see this as a strong coorelation, though, but there is still this questionable hole in the research. Instead of poopoo'ing sports, recognize these are potential issues, ensure proper equipment and train the athletes well to hit properly and fairly, to fall or crash properly and safely to reduce risk.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSome teens take up challenge against injury without getting seriously injured.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think some people know how to play without getting injured and play to become international sports celebrity.Some people learn quickly and adapt how to sustain body blows.
Like Mohammed Ali?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisReading these comments, with the honourable exception of Alan R Brewer's, the first word that comes to mind is "denial". They remind me of the kind of comments you would get from smokers in the 1960s. The evidence on the serious nature of concussions is now, in general terms, beyond argument. The precise details will continue to merge but we do not need to wait. We should act now.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt is not necessary, possible or desirable to reduce the risks to zero but it is essential that those involved with risky activities are aware of those risks and do not increase them.
....that would be "emerge"
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