Project Summary
Concussions in sports have received much focus recently; however, the consequences of non-concussive head
impacts, more common and thus potentially more important, may have a greater influence on brain health in
youth athletes. With ~ 3.5 million football players between ages 6 and 13 each year, there is a critical need to
reduce head impact exposure, thereby improving safety of youth football. Several youth football organizations
have implemented regulations to reduce contact and concussion risk; but we lack biomechanical evidence in
youth football to inform policies on reducing head impact exposure. Football practices are controlled
environments amenable to intervention; however, the most effective targets for intervention or how best to design
and implement effective interventions in this context is unknown. In other areas of research, engaging community
members has repeatedly been shown as essential for successful development, implementation, and sustenance
of viable interventions. The objective is to develop and pilot test an evidence-based intervention to reduce
head impact exposure in youth football, using a community-engaged approach. A comprehensive
mentored training program has been planned, closely aligned with the following research aims. In Aim 1, 30
youth football players participating on two teams at the middle school level (ages 12-14) will be fitted with
mouthpiece-based head impact sensors. Biomechanical data will be collected and quantified during team
activities which will be used to inform discussions with stakeholders (coaches, parents, league officials). Using
an audit and feedback approach, sharing biomechanical data with stakeholders, and an anonymous survey, we
will assess awareness and receptivity to change. In Aim 2, mixed methods will be used to integrate data identified
from literature and Aim 1. Stakeholders will be engaged to identify, develop, and refine evidence-based
strategies to reduce head impact exposure at each level of the social ecological model. Outcomes will include
defined objectives, guidelines, resources, and a timeline for implementation of an intervention. In Aim 3, two new
youth football teams at the middle school level (ages 12-14) will be recruited to pilot-test the intervention
developed in Aim 2. Head impact exposure will be measured from 30 athletes participating on the 2 teams using
head impact sensors and the effectiveness of the intervention at reducing head impact exposure as well as the
feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of the intervention will be evaluated. The implementation process will be
monitored and findings will be disseminated to the youth football league. The skills gained, data gathered, and
methods developed in this K25 Award will position the Candidate for success as an independent investigator
combining public health science and injury biomechanics to develop, test, and improve injury prevention
strategies.