Football Injuries and How To Prevent Them

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Football Facts	The single largest cause is football, responsible for more than 250,000 brain injuries in the United States each year. In any given season, 10 percent of all college players and 20 percent of high school players sustain brain injuries. Sixty three percent of high school players sustain traumatic brain injuries Football players with brain injuries are six times as likely to sustain new injuries Youth football has lower rates of serious injury than high school and college level football
Parents Should....	Choose a helmet that fits and is properly secured. This is the first defense in preventing a brain injury in this rough and tumble game Choose a team/league where player safety is put before winning at all costs Make sure the child's protective equipment is in good repair and checked regularly
Coaches Should....	Match players (size, weight, training) in contact drills. Limited tackling and blocking routines during practice Emphasize "keeping the head out of football." No butt-blocking using your head Teach proper techniques and rules for safety: Never face/head tackle! Train consistently and properly. This includes doing exercise recommended for strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles
When to take action...	Players should notify their coaches and see a physician if they experience the following symptoms during play: Headaches Nausea Confusion Dizziness Vomiting These are early signs of concussion and must be treated to avoid further injury
For More Information.....	Brain Injury Association of America 105 North Alfred Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (708) 236-6000 Fax: (708) 236-6001 E-mail: prevention@biause.org www.biausa.org
Sources	Pop Warner Football, Official Rule Book and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1998 Chin, T. Time, December 12, 1994 pp 71-72 Zemper, (1994) Analysis of cerebral concussion frequency with the most commonly used model of football helmets, Journal of Athletic Training 29(1): 44-50 Kelly, JP. Concussion. LN Torg JS. Shepard RJ. (eds) Current Therapy in Sports Medicine. Philadelphia: Mosby, 1995 Journal of American Medical Association. 1999: 282-958

  Brain Injury Association of America

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