news-medical.net
A new focus on the risks associated with repeated head impacts in athletes reveals potential long-term health challenges and emerging strategies for detection and prevention.
This topic is vital as it addresses emerging concerns in sports medicine and neurology about the unseen, long-term effects of repeated head hits, prompting the need for comprehensive guidelines to safeguard athlete health.
Research led by Dr. Jeff Bazarian focuses on the subtle long-term effects of repeated head hits in athletes, exploring potential links to neurodegenerative diseases. The study uses advanced techniques to monitor the impacts, aiming to create detection and prevention strategies. The investigation is funded by a $6.3 million grant from the Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity and spans multiple institutions, including the University of Rochester.
The study highlights the difficulty in detecting subtle neurologic changes in athletes exposed to repetitive head hits, despite the absence of symptoms.
"A soccer or football player can go through a whole season of repeated head hits and have no symptoms and a normal physical exam. But we hypothesize that one of these tests, or a combination of them, will be a little bit abnormal," said Dr. Jeff Bazarian.
Athletes frequently endure head impacts that do not immediately manifest as concussions but may still disrupt brain function. Dr. Jeff Bazarian emphasizes that these impacts can lead to subtle declines in balance and cognitive performance, changes often undetectable without specialized testing.
The research employs a multi-faceted approach, using advanced tools like optical coherence tomography to identify retinal changes linked to head impacts. This innovative technique could provide insights into the effects of repetitive hits over time, as noted by Bazarian and his colleague, Steven Silverstein.
Advanced technology offers the potential to monitor and quantify the frequency and severity of head impacts among athletes.
The study features the use of sensor-equipped mouthguards that measure head impact metrics during sports activities. These devices record data such as the magnitude and direction of impacts, providing a clearer picture of an athlete's exposure to head trauma.
Complementing this, blood tests for brain proteins like GFAP are utilized to identify changes following head impacts, paving the way for objective assessments of an athlete's brain health. These biomarkers can act as early warning indicators for potential neurological damage.
"Our hope is that one day this approach may lower the longer term risk of neurodegeneration in those exposed," Bazarian said.
Translating research insights into practical guidelines and protocols is critical for athlete safety.
The study sets the groundwork for developing new protocols that manage the risk of repeated head hits. By establishing thresholds for safe exposure levels, interventions such as mandatory rest periods and modified training schedules can be implemented.
Researchers are exploring if spacing out head impacts can reduce neurological changes. This aspect of the study serves as a potential framework for adapting training and in-game strategies, ensuring that athletes maintain optimal mental and physical health throughout their careers.
"The question is, if we put some time between these sessions of head hits, does that reduce the impact of these head hits on these subtle neurologic changes," Bazarian posits.
Bazarian, J. (2025). Could small repeated head hits cause major damage? University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/could-small-repeated-head-hits-cause-major-damage