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Daneshvar DH, Nair ES, Baucom ZH, Rasch A, Abdolmohammadi B, Uretsky M, Saltiel N, Shah A, Jarnagin J, Baugh CM, Martin BM, Palmisano JN, Cherry JD, Alvarez VE, Huber BR, Weuve J, Nowinski CJ, Cantu RC, Zafonte RD, Dwyer B, Crary JF, Goldstein LE, Kowall NW, Katz DI, Stern RA, Tripodis Y, Stein TD, McClean MD, Alosco ML, McKee AC, Mez J. Leveraging football accelerometer data to quantify associations between repetitive head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in males. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3470. [PMID: 37340004 PMCID: PMC10281995 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39183-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative tauopathy associated with repetitive head impacts (RHI), but the components of RHI exposure underlying this relationship are unclear. We create a position exposure matrix (PEM), composed of American football helmet sensor data, summarized from literature review by player position and level of play. Using this PEM, we estimate measures of lifetime RHI exposure for a separate cohort of 631 football playing brain donors. Separate models examine the relationship between CTE pathology and players' concussion count, athletic positions, years of football, and PEM-derived measures, including estimated cumulative head impacts, linear accelerations, and rotational accelerations. Only duration of play and PEM-derived measures are significantly associated with CTE pathology. Models incorporating cumulative linear or rotational acceleration have better model fit and are better predictors of CTE pathology than duration of play or cumulative head impacts alone. These findings implicate cumulative head impact intensity in CTE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Daneshvar
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mass General Brigham-Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Evan S Nair
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary H Baucom
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail Rasch
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeline Uretsky
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Saltiel
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arsal Shah
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johnny Jarnagin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine M Baugh
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brett M Martin
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph N Palmisano
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cherry
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Weuve
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher J Nowinski
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert C Cantu
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, USA
| | - Ross D Zafonte
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mass General Brigham-Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brigid Dwyer
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research Core, Department of Pathology, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lee E Goldstein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas I Katz
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Stern
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael D McClean
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research and CTE Centers, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Pankow MP, Syrydiuk RA, Kolstad AT, Hayden AK, Dennison CR, Mrazik M, Hagel BE, Emery CA. Head Games: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Examining Concussion and Head Impact Incidence Rates, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies in Youth Tackle Football. Sports Med 2021; 52:1259-1272. [PMID: 34894348 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01609-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims were to (1) examine the rates and mechanisms of concussion and head impact in youth football (high school level or younger); (2) identify modifiable risk factors for concussion and head impact; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies in tackle football at any level. METHODS Nine databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; EMBASE; ERIC; Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database; PsycINFO; Scopus; and SPORTDiscus with Full Text) were searched using the search strategy focusing on four main concepts: concussion/head impact, tackle football, modifiable risk factors, and primary prevention. Two reviewers completed title, abstract, and full-text screening as well as risk of bias assessment (using the Downs and Black checklist), with a third author available to resolve any disagreements. MAIN RESULTS After removing duplicates, 1911 articles were returned. Fifty-eight articles were included in the review and 20 in the meta-analysis. The overall combined rates of concussion (including game and practice-related concussion) based on the meta-analysis were 0.78 concussions/1000 athlete exposures [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.89] for high school football (ages 13-19) and 1.15 concussions/1000 athlete exposures (95% CI 0.89-1.41) for minor football players (ages 5-15). There is evidence that contact training and practice contact restrictions have reduced the rate of head impacts and concussion. Heads Up Football (an intervention focused on coach education and contact training) has been shown to reduce the rate of concussion by 32% and head impacts by 38% amongst high school football players. Limiting contact practices in high schools to 2 days per week reduced practice head impacts per player-season by 42%, and limiting full contact in practice to 75 min per week in the second week of the season and 60 min in week 3 and beyond resulted in a 54% decrease in the practice-related concussion rate (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS This review identified a critical need for interventions to address the high rates of concussion and head impact in youth football. To date, contact training and contact restrictions have the strongest evidence supporting their effectiveness at reducing these rates. Future research should use consistent concussion definitions and validated injury surveillance systems, and ensure complete reporting of participant characteristics and sampling details. Prospero ID CRD42020193775.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Patrick Pankow
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. .,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. .,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - R A Syrydiuk
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - A T Kolstad
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - A K Hayden
- Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - C R Dennison
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Biomedical Instrumentation Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - M Mrazik
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - B E Hagel
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - C A Emery
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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6
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Reyes J, Mitra B, McIntosh A, Clifton P, Makdissi M, Nguyen JVK, Harcourt P, Howard TS, Cameron PA, Rosenfeld JV, Willmott C. An Investigation of Factors Associated With Head Impact Exposure in Professional Male and Female Australian Football Players. Am J Sports Med 2020; 48:1485-1495. [PMID: 32255667 DOI: 10.1177/0363546520912416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to head acceleration events (HAEs) has been associated with player sex, player position, and player experience in North American football, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Little is known of these factors in professional Australian football. Video analysis allows HAE verification and characterization of important determinants of injury. PURPOSE To characterize verified HAEs in the nonhelmeted contact sport of professional Australian football and investigate the association of sex, player position, and player experience with HAE frequency and magnitude. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS Professional Australian football players wore a nonhelmeted accelerometer for 1 match, with data collected across 14 matches. HAEs with peak linear accelerations (PLAs) ≥30g were verified with match video. Verified HAEs were summarized by frequency and median PLA and compared between the sexes, player position, and player experience. Characterization of match-related situations of verified HAEs was conducted, and the head impact rate per skill execution was calculated. RESULTS 92 male and 118 female players were recruited during the 2017 season. Male players sustained more HAEs (median, 1; IQR, 0-2) than female players (median, 0; IQR, 0-1; P = .007) during a match. The maximum PLAs incurred during a match were significantly higher in male players (median, 61.8g; IQR, 40.5-87.1) compared with female players (median, 44.5g; IQR, 33.6-74.8; P = .032). Neither player position nor experience was associated with HAE frequency. Of all verified HAEs, 52% (n = 110) occurred when neither team had possession of the football, and 46% (n = 98) were caused by contact from another player attempting to gain possession of the football. A subset of HAEs (n = 12; 5.7%) resulted in players seeking medical aid and/or being removed from the match (median PLA, 58.8g; IQR, 34.0-89.0), with 2 (male) players diagnosed with concussion after direct head impacts and associated PLAs of 62g and 75g, respectively. In the setting of catching (marking) the football, female players exhibited twice the head impact rate (16 per 100 marking contests) than male players (8 per 100 marking contests). CONCLUSION Playing situations in which players have limited control of the football are a common cause of impacts. Male players sustained a greater exposure to HAEs compared with female players. Female players, however, sustained higher exposure to HAEs than male players during certain skill executions, possibly reflecting differences in skill development. These findings can therefore inform match and skill development in the emerging professional women's competition of Australian football.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Reyes
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Biswadev Mitra
- National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew McIntosh
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Engineering and Australian Collaboration for Research Into Injury in Sport and Its Prevention, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | | | - Michael Makdissi
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Austin Campus, Melbourne Brain Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jack V K Nguyen
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Teresa S Howard
- National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter A Cameron
- National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jeffrey V Rosenfeld
- Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine Willmott
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Australia.,Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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