Leading sports industries have defended tackling in junior sports despite a new study linking risk of head impact to degenerative brain disease.
Core items:
- Industry leaders have reacted to a new study linking headbutts in sports to degenerative brain diseases
- The report’s authors propose a ban on tackling in youth sports to reduce the risk to children
- Tackling is meant to stay, but with a focus on teaching it safely
The Harvard University report found that millions of children were exposed to repetitive headbutts from participating in sports, and found that the demographic was too young to know the potential long-term risks associated with exposure.
One of the authors is Australian concussion expert Alan Pearce, who said there is conclusive evidence linking risk of head kicks and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The study urges sports bodies to consider modifications for young athletes.
The researchers also call for repetitive headbutts and CTE in children to be treated like exposure to lead, mercury, smoking and sunburn.
Their research was published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.
“We looked at different sports with different characteristics, and they all showed something similar,” said Dr. Pearce.
“Anyone who undergoes repeated head trauma … they get CTE where you don’t see it in random populations of people.
“We know there is causal action here and that’s why we want sport around the world to give serious thought to this.”
Alan Pearce encourages children to play non-contact sports until the age of 14.(delivered)
Tackling has to be taught
The President of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, Mark Fulcher, said it was an overreaction to propose a ban on tackles in children’s sports.
“That’s a group of academics who say they believe there’s no need to address,” said Dr. Fulcher.
“But I think if we spoke to people who are actively involved in coaching, they would probably have a different opinion.”
He said many would argue that coaching and teaching children how to tackle and have good technique is an important part of improving safety.
Troy Kirkham, the West Australian Football Commission’s executive manager for youth, community and game development, said he welcomed the report but that much was being done to tackle education for children.
“We want to introduce tackling, but we want to do it in a safe way where it’s really controlled and it’s done at the right pace and at the right level,” Kirkham said.
“I think one of the things that a lot of sports have to consider now is how to safely teach tackling and stuff like that.”
Mark Fulcher says it would be an overreaction to ban tackle.(delivered)
Part of the Australian Rules
Mr Kirkham said attacking is an important part of games like AFL.
“We start tackling around the age of about nine, and it’s basically just an all-around tackle that develops from there until around the age of 13, where we introduce full tackling into the game,” said he.
“It’s about teaching kids, year after year, to make sure they’re reaching out and that they have a duty of care to the people who are attacking them.”
Headbutting a developing brain can have adverse effects as children get older.(delivered)
Mel Sulzberger, president of the Southern County Junior Football Association, said it was important to keep pushing.
“These are Australian rules and I think it comes down to teaching people the right way,” Ms. Sulzberger said.
“It’s not about taking everything away and packing it up [kids] stick in cotton.”
She said headbutts could happen at any time, both during and outside the game.
“Kids can get knocked down just for tagging a ball, they can fall off their bikes, or they can do anything else and get a head injury.”
“Honestly, I think the people who don’t want to get involved don’t play anyway.”
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