Football remains one of the most popular sports in America, but participation at the high school level in South Dakota is falling steadily as the risk of brain injuries becomes clearer.
Participation in 11-player boys football in South Dakota fell by 5.2% over the past three years and 16.6% over the past decade, according to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations, which has done annual surveys for more than 25 years.
Participation in nine-player football fell by 3.7% nationwide over the past 10 years, according to the survey.
The decreases came as student enrollment in grades nine through 12 in South Dakota was essentially flat during that 10-year time frame.
Nationally, participation fell across all sports for the first time in nearly 30 years; in boys 11-player high school football the sport with the highest participation fell nationally by 5.2% last year to about 1.1 million players.
Studies have shown that from 5% to 10% of youth football players will suffer a concussion at some point during a full season.
Supporters see the sport as one that builds character, focuses on teamwork, and is fun to play. Furthermore, population trends in the state show reduced enrollment in many rural schools and decreased opportunities for play.
I think its more than just looking at the number and saying, Well, over this period of time were down all these kids participating and that its because were concerned about safety, said John Krogstrand, assistant director of the South Dakota High School Athletics Association, who oversees boys sports for the group. I think its much more than that.
South Dakota had 3,756 participants in 11-player football in 68 schools in 2009 and 3,133 in 66 schools last year, according to the national survey. For comparison, the state had 3,576 participants in boys basketball last year, and 697 in boys soccer.
Krogstrand noted that his association and school districts have implemented safety guidelines, improved equipment and instituted concussion protocols to prevent head injuries and treat them better.
In South Dakota, the reduction in participation has led some districts to enter into co-op agreements in which schools form a single team. Other schools have moved from 11- to nine-player football.
Most parents are aware of the risks, yet many say they believe the game has gotten safer as the awareness of head injuries has risen.
Dale Uttecht of Sioux Falls recently watched his son, Joe, play football for Sioux Falls Washington against Rapid City Stevens. Uttecht said he sometimes holds his breath while watching another son, Logan, play wide receiver for Augustana University.
All the players are bigger, faster and stronger, so any injuries are going to be worse, he said.
Uttecht said the increased recognition of the risks of head injuries has led to changes that he believes make the game safer, including at Washington High, where a certified trainer is present for all practices and games.
You always have concerns, but I hear about concussions in soccer and basketball, too, Uttecht said.
Numerous research studies have shown a strong correlation between concussions and contact sports. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury in which the head and brain shake violently, often causing confusion, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Evidence shows that the longer a person plays football and the more hits to the head they take, the chance for long-range impairment or illnesses increases.
In its literature on concussions and sports, doctors at the Sanford Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Department in Sioux Falls write that, One of the worst things any athlete can do for their health is to keep playing after a concussion.
Yet those same physicians report that as many as 40% of youth who suffer a concussion return to play sooner than safety guidelines suggest. They also point to research showing that athletes who suffer one concussion are more likely to have subsequent concussions and can face potentially catastrophic consequences if a second concussion occurs.
You have run out of free stories. To continue reading, take advantage of our LOWEST offer yet!
Please call 877-525-6397 to upgrade your subscription.
See the original post here:
As brain-injury research expands, football participation falls in S.D. and across U.S. - Rapid City Journal
- Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy Brain Injury - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury - May 9th, 2011 [May 9th, 2011]
- Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Emory - May 11th, 2011 [May 11th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Brain Injury Part 2 (Tbi) - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Mark, anoxi brain injury, physical therapy after stem cell treatment - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Bob Hahn Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- Mark, anoxi brain injury, after stem cell treatment at Tiantan Puhua Hospital Beijing - May 24th, 2011 [May 24th, 2011]
- New Beginnings community center for brain injury rehabilitation - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 1 - Dr. Robert Kohn, Neurologist - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- Am I Brain Damaged? from traumatic brain injury - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- SLI Wellness Center for Brain Injury Rehabilitation - June 11th, 2011 [June 11th, 2011]
- Update on Libya, Radiation in Japan, Tramatic Brain Injury treatment and more, 03/23/2011 - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Finding Your Path - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 5 - Doctor Kohn, Chicago Neurologist - June 16th, 2011 [June 16th, 2011]
- The struggle to treat traumatic brain injury - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Speaks about ProTECT trial at UC Health University Hospital - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment for Brain Injury of Adrian - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - June 24th, 2011 [June 24th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury TBI - July 4th, 2011 [July 4th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 2 - Dr. Robert Kohn, Neurologist - July 6th, 2011 [July 6th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 7 - Doctor Kohn, MD, Neurology, Neuropsychiatry - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Neurofeedback Training and Treatment at Healing Unleashed in Denver Colorado - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Alexis Verzal takes independent steps - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- The New WalkAide System: Advanced Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Treatment of Foot Drop - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Doctors Cool Newborn to Limit Brain Damage - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 6 - by Neurologist, Dr. Robert Kohn - July 24th, 2011 [July 24th, 2011]
- Brain injury and trauma treatment by homeopathy - July 31st, 2011 [July 31st, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 4 - Dr. Kohn, Neuropsychiatrist / Neurologist - August 9th, 2011 [August 9th, 2011]
- Preserving Hope, Predicting Health - August 17th, 2011 [August 17th, 2011]
- Sask Brain Injury Association - August 19th, 2011 [August 19th, 2011]
- Cognition and Mild Head Injury by Dr. Muriel Lezak - August 21st, 2011 [August 21st, 2011]
- Brain injury_Shawna_ USA_before stem cell treatment 1.wmv - August 25th, 2011 [August 25th, 2011]
- Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Recovery is a Journey - August 26th, 2011 [August 26th, 2011]
- Different types of Concussions by Dr. James Chesnutt.mov - August 30th, 2011 [August 30th, 2011]
- Brain injury_Shawna_ USA_after stem cell treatment 1.wmv - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- With Brain Injuries, Soldiers Face A Battle For Care - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Tripler Medical Center Treats Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Sessions' Traumatic Brain Injury Amendment to DOD Appropriations - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Using Stem Cells for Treatment of TBI | Dr. Charles Cox | Research Trials - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Healing brain injuries - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Veterans Services at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Hope Beyond Trauma - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 3 - by Neurologist Dr. Robert Kohn - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- Understanding and Improving Vocational Outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- LI facility dedicated to Terri Schiavo - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Neurotopia - featuring Holden McCray - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Survivors: Adriana Villar (Making a Difference: Story 1) - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- Fabio - brain injury - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- The Latest Developments in Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatments and Brain Damage Video of MRI of Brain Chambers WWW.STEMCELLREGENMED.COM - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Military lags on promising treatment for brain-injured soldiers - Video - November 6th, 2011 [November 6th, 2011]
- Brian Moylan (TBI survivor) talking on treatment from the NHS - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Experts at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital - Video - November 12th, 2011 [November 12th, 2011]
- H200 Hand Rehabilitation System - Testimonials - Clinical Focus - Video - November 13th, 2011 [November 13th, 2011]
- Coping with Brain Injury: Robots and Rehabilitation - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation using MediTouch HandTutor - Video - November 18th, 2011 [November 18th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Treatment Success | College Station Chiropractor Dr. David Bailey - Video - November 30th, 2011 [November 30th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) corrects brain-injury. - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- Story of a Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery with Hyperbaric Oxygen (Part1/4) - Video - December 8th, 2011 [December 8th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Brain Injury - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- Redwood Extended Care Facility - Brain Injury Services - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- What If... Brain Injury Rehabilitation - Video - December 17th, 2011 [December 17th, 2011]
- Dangers in Self Medication - Young Adults with Lyme Disease - Leo J. Shea, III, PhD - Video - December 18th, 2011 [December 18th, 2011]
- Reducing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the US - Video - December 19th, 2011 [December 19th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 8 - Dr. R. Kohn, MD, Neurology - December 21st, 2011 [December 21st, 2011]
- Brain injury rehabilitation using Wii recreational therapy - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- CNS President/CEO Dr. Mark Ashley discusses how research shapes brain injury rehabilitation - Video - December 29th, 2011 [December 29th, 2011]
- Albert James De Meillon-Traumatic Brain Injury-Part 1 - Video - January 1st, 2012 [January 1st, 2012]
- Hope Beyond Trauma_Janie Smith - Video - January 10th, 2012 [January 10th, 2012]
- Neurofeedback adhd - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- We are the World, We ARE The Children - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- New Hopes for Treating Traumatic Brain Injury - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- NeuroRestorative's Robin Ray Featured on ABC in Southern Illinois - Video - January 13th, 2012 [January 13th, 2012]
- Careers at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Video - January 26th, 2012 [January 26th, 2012]
- Chris Persel discusses what makes CNS a leader in brain injury rehabilitation - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Care for catastrophic injuries, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Military Tests Pressurized Chamber to Treat TBI - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Richmond Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Applaud White House Research Initiative Targeting Veterans’ Health Issues - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- Protect Your Brain...Why? - Video - January 30th, 2012 [January 30th, 2012]