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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

IS SOCCER BAD FOR CHILDRENS HEADS?

Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer

Prepared by Margie Patlak and Janet E. Joy

Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health

INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20418

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

Support for this project was provided by an endowed gift from Rhoda and Bernard G. Sarnat and by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. The views presented in this report are not necessarily those of the funding agencies.

International Standard Book Number 0-309-08344-3

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Copyright 2002 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

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The serpent has been a symbol of long life, healing, and knowledge among almost all cultures and religions since the beginning of recorded history. The serpent adopted as a logotype by the Institute of Medicine is a relief carving from ancient Greece, now held by the Staatliche Museen in Berlin.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

—Goethe

INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE

Shaping the Future for Health

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

National Academy of Sciences

National Academy of Engineering

Institute of Medicine

National Research Council

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Wm. A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. Wm. A. Wulf are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

BOARD ON NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Kenneth B. Wells, MD, MPH, (Chair),

Neuropsychiatric Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California

Nancy E. Adler, PhD,

University of California, San Francisco, California

Paul Appelbaum, MD,

University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts

William E. Bunney, MD,

(emeritus) University of California, Irvine, California

Howard Fields, MD, PhD,

University of California, San Francisco, California

Richard G. Frank, PhD,

Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Sid Gilman, MD,

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jerome Kagan, PhD,

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Herbert D. Kleber, MD,

Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York

Beverly B. Long, MS, MPH,

World Federation for Mental Health, Atlanta, Georgia

Karen Matthews, PhD,

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bruce McEwen, PhD,

Rockefeller University, New York, New York

Kathleen R. Merikangas, PhD,

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

David Reiss, MD,

George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Rhonda J. Robinson-Beale, MD,

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, Southfield, Michigan

Charles Zorumski, MD,

Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

Staff

Terry C. Pellmar, PhD, Board Director,

NBH

Janet E. Joy, PhD, Project Director

John Rockwell, MS, Research Assistant (until May 2001)

Amanda Hunt, PhD,

NBH intern (June–August 2001)

Joah Iannotta (until September 2001)

Brian McQuillan, Senior Project Assistant (from December 2001)

Catherine Paige, Administrative Assistant (from October 2001)

Michelle Kipke, PhD,

Board Director, BCYF (until August 2001)

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
This page in the original is blank.
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health thank Dr. and Mrs. Sarnat for providing the funds to supplement the National Academies’ support for this workshop. With their generous endowment, we were able to disseminate the content of the workshop through this report.

We also thank each of the workshop speakers for their thoughtful, informative, and lively presentations. Their work has been and will continue to be instrumental in protecting our children’s futures by promoting safe sports policies. We extend special appreciation to the workshop chairs, Linda Cowan and Michael Johnston, for keeping the lively discussions focused and moving forward throughout the day. Many of the workshop participants responded frequently and faithfully to the fact-checking inquiries we sent during the preparation of the summary of the workshops, and we especially thank Jon Almquist, Trey Crisco, Ruben Echemendia, Kevin Guskiewicz, Albert Hergenroeder, David Hovda, James Kelly, Don Kirkendall, and Muriel Lezak for helping sort out the details.

This project would not have been completed without the excellent and much-appreciated assistance of the Institute of Medicine staff. Amanda Hunt and John Rockwell did much of the background research for the project. Brian McQuillan was the White Knight who stepped in at the last minute to do a terrific job of handling the meeting logistics.

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×

REVIEWERS

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report:

Julie Gilchrist, M.D., National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia

Stephen H. Hauser, M.D., Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California

Mark R. Lovell, M.D., Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Richard Frank, Harvard Medical School. Appointed by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authors and the institution.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
This page in the original is blank.
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." Institute of Medicine. 2002. Is Soccer Bad for Children's Heads?: Summary of the IOM Workshop on Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Youth Soccer. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10362.
×
Page R10
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To explore whether soccer playing puts youths at risk for lasting brain damage, the Institute of Medicine brought together experts in head injury, sports medicine, pediatrics, and bioengineering. In a workshop entitled "Youth Soccer: Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Sports," that was held in Washington D.C. on October 12, 2001, these experts presented the scientific evidence for long-term consequences of head injury from youth sports, especially soccer, possible approaches to reduce the risks, and policy issues raised by the subject. Some of the findings presented by the speakers raised concerns, such as the high concussion rate of high school soccer players, the frequent persistence of impaired brain functions even after other symptoms of a concussion disappear, and the need for a better understanding of when it is safe for players to resume playing after they have had a concussion. But other findings were reassuring, such as studies that suggest that with the type of soccer balls used in the United States, heading is not likely to cause brain injury in youths, nor is playing soccer likely to cause permanent brain damage.

This is a summary of the reports from these experts in the field, and the lively discussions that followed them. Topics covered include: causes of head injuries in soccer; how to detect a concussion; the biology of concussion; studies of soccer and football players; the role of protective headgear; and policy implications, such as how to decide when a concussed player should be allowed to return to the playing field.

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