High school football practice begins across Texas a week from today, and there is something on the minds of parents other than the Friday Night Lights and who'll make the playoffs, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
A new study showing the impact of the brain injury disease known as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) as a lot of parents worried.
Dr. Paul Schulz, who is a brain injury specialist at UT Health in Houston, says there is good reason for parents to be concerned.
He says the study, which examined the brains of men who played football at the high school, amateur, college and pro level shows that CTE is widespread among all ages, and Schulz says there is evidence that brain damage is more likely to occur in younger players.
"Earlier onset head trauma is probably worse for a person than later, so, even if our children are playing at the grammar school, high school, and college level, I would still worry," he said.
.The brains of NFL players showed more signs of CTE, but researchers say that if because they played football longer and those who may have played in high school and that was it.
.Dr. Schulz says there are specific types of plays that researchers say are more dangerous for teenaged football players.
"Circumstances where the most head trauma occurs are particularly plays like the kickoff return where two people are coming at each other at high speed," he said. "I would try to avoid those."
Other neurologists agree that while CTE is a concern, they say the brain study is overblown, and point out that retired NFL players actually live longer and are less likely to commit suicide than the population as a whole.
But all researchers agree that even though the link between concussion and CTE is uncertain, it is still advisable to avoid head trauma whenever possible.
unlz says the key for high school players, in his opinion, is to set up a system where a player can sit out for a minimum of two weeks after suffering a major head hit or a concussion, without being punished by losing a spot on the team.
"If a person has symptoms today, it is important that they be free to take a couple of weeks off and not be at risk for that second hit," he said.
Despite coaches talking about their concern for player safety, he says there is still a culture of toughness on football teams which makes it less likely that a player will step up to report an injury and request two weeks off, especially during such a short season.
Dr. Schulz says there is another solution."Make sure you get the best helmet you can find."