Underlying brain injury found in concussion-free athletesRSS Feed

American footballers thought to be free from concussions may have underlying brain injury concerns, a new study says.

Research from Purdue University suggests that some high school footballers suffer changes in brain function that go unnoticed and continue to play despite the impairment.

"Our key finding is a previously undiscovered category of cognitive impairment," commented Thomas Talavage, associate professor of biomedical engineering and electrical and computer engineering and co-director of the Purdue MRI Facility.

The research, which appears in the Journal of Neurotrauma, focused on 21 players from a high school in the US.

Larry Leverenz, an expert in athletic training and a clinical professor of health and kinesiology, explained that the usual head injury signs are not apparent.

He said: "There is no sign or symptom that would indicate a need to pull these players out of a practice or game, so they just keep getting hit."

The news comes as the US Congress debates a bill to reduce the chances of school children suffering a brain injury.

News brought to you by Serious Law specialists in brain injury

Posted by John Sherrington
 

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