National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Reducing Intentional Head-First Contact Behavior in American Football Players

To provide evidence-based recommendations for reducing the prevalence of head-first contact behavior in American football players with the aim of reducing the risk of head and neck injuries. In American football, using the head as the point of contact is a persistent, well-documented, and direct cau...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of athletic training 2022-02, Vol.57 (2), p.113-124
Main Authors: Swartz, Erik E, Register-Mihalik, Johna K, Broglio, Steven P, Mihalik, Jason P, Myers, Jay L, Guskiewicz, Kevin M, Bailes, Julian, Hoge, Merril
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Athletic Coaches
Athletic Injuries - epidemiology
Behavior modification
Brain Concussion - epidemiology
Concussion
Education
Evidence
Football - injuries
High school football
High Schools
Humans
Injuries
Literature Reviews
Physicians
Position Statement
Randomized Controlled Trials
Scientific Research
Secondary schools
Skill development
Skills
Spinal Injuries - complications
Sports injuries
Stakeholders
Teaching Methods
Team Sports
Traumatic brain injury
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Summary:To provide evidence-based recommendations for reducing the prevalence of head-first contact behavior in American football players with the aim of reducing the risk of head and neck injuries. In American football, using the head as the point of contact is a persistent, well-documented, and direct cause of catastrophic head and cervical spine injury. Equally concerning is that repeated head-impact exposures are likely to result from head-first contact behavior and may be associated with long-term neurocognitive conditions such as dementia, depression, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The National Athletic Trainers' Association proposes 14 recommendations to help the certified athletic trainer, allied health care provider, coach, player, parent, and broader community implement strategies for reducing the prevalence of head-first contact in American football.
ISSN:1062-6050
1938-162X
DOI:10.4085/1062-6050-0062.21