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Participation in Pre–High School Football and Neurological, Neuroradiological, and Neuropsychological Findings in Later Life.
- Source :
-
American Journal of Sports Medicine . May2016, Vol. 44 Issue 5, p1106-1115. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: A recent study found that an earlier age of first exposure (AFE) to tackle football was associated with long-term neurocognitive impairment in retired National Football League (NFL) players. Purpose: To assess the association between years of exposure to pre–high school football (PreYOE) and neuroradiological, neurological, and neuropsychological outcome measures in a different sample of retired NFL players. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Forty-five former NFL players were included in this study. All participants prospectively completed extensive history taking, a neurological examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. To measure the associations between PreYOE and these outcome measures, multiple regression models were utilized while controlling for several covariates. Results: After applying a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, none of the neurological, neuroradiological, or neuropsychological outcome measures yielded a significant relationship with PreYOE. A second Bonferroni-corrected analysis of a subset of these athletes with self-reported learning disability yielded no significant relationships on paper-and-pencil neurocognitive tests but did result in a significant association between learning disability and computerized indices of visual motor speed and reaction time. Conclusion: The current study failed to replicate the results of a prior study, which concluded that an earlier AFE to tackle football might result in long-term neurocognitive deficits. In 45 retired NFL athletes, there were no associations between PreYOE and neuroradiological, neurological, and neuropsychological outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03635465
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- American Journal of Sports Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 115070232
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546515626164