Study Finds No Long-Term Cognitive Decline from Amateur Sports Concussions
A major study has found that concussions in amateur sports are not linked to long-term cognitive decline, and those with sports-related concussions may even perform better cognitively. The research involved over 15,000 participants and was conducted by several prominent universities.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 7 |
Novelty | 7 |
Positivity | 6 |
Reliability | 9 |
Actionability | 6 |
Society | 7 |
Journalism | 4 |
Highlights
- A study involving over 15,000 participants found no link between concussions in amateur sports and long-term cognitive decline.
- Participants who reported sports-related concussions had better cognitive performance than those without concussions.
- The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter, UNSW Sydney, the University of Oxford, and Harvard University.
- 39.5% of participants reported at least one concussion, and 3.2% reported at least one moderate-severe concussion.
- The findings do not apply to professional sports, where concussions tend to be more frequent and severe.
Perspectives
- One of the authors suggests that the findings could influence policy decisions regarding participation in contact sports, indicating potential long-term benefits that may outweigh the risks of concussions.
- The chief executive of a brain injury charity warns against misinterpreting the study's findings, emphasizing the inherent risks associated with concussions and the need for careful consideration of the data.