Investigating Sports Neurology: Evaluating The Pros and Cons Of Participating in Youth Sports vs. Gaming
As technology evolves, more and more children find themselves in front of screens. Whether that is scrolling through social media or playing video games, the growing use of digital devices has touched a younger demographic. However, what would happen if children dedicated more time to screens than in participating in activities such as playing team sports? Some parents may fear the potential of their child suffering injuries if they played a physical high contact youth sport such as football, soccer, basketball, etc. Even though subscribing to sport participation virtually through video games instead would lower the injury risk, it can present various physical and mental health concerns. This dilemma in how to maintain a balance between the real and virtual world for children is a current discussion. It has also presented a fear factor amongst some parents regarding the dangers of playing sports in relation to experiencing neurological conditions.
Analysis
Concussions, spinal cord and/or peripheral nerve injuries, are among a few neurological conditions athletes expose themselves to when participating in contact sports. Depending on the nature of the injury, in some cases the outcomes of these incidents could take a prolonged form. With the average age of sport training enrollment being 6 years old, the fear of long-term neurological injury has made parents worry and question if they should allow their children to participate in youth sports. Even though this may not be the sole reason for low sport engagement, studies show that it is a compelling factor that significantly influences statistics showcasing this trend. This concern has been reflected through data as according to Aspen Institute youth participation has been declining with only 37% of children (ages 6-12) enrolled in team sports in 2020. In 2021, according to a survey published by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, sports participation in the U.S. drastically decreased post-pandemic (below 50%) for the first time in the 21st century.
In soccer or European football, one of the maneuvers that could lead to concussions are headers. Research conducted by scientists at Columbia University have discovered that continuous heading in soccer can lead to a decline in brain function and structure. “A large part of this concern relates to the potential for changes in young adulthood to confer risk for neurodegeneration and dementia later in life,” explained Michael Lipton MD PhD, leading this study. The study showed that in a 2-year period of heading exposure the participants displayed a decline in memory and verbal learning. In 2015, the U.S Soccer Federation published news rules to help keep young players safe. It prohibited players under 11 years of age from heading and those ages 12-13 to not exceed 30 minutes of heading during practice a week. Even though these rules can be easily enforced during games by referees it can be difficult to ensure that they are being followed during closed practice. However, a study published in PubMed concluded that, “There is no evidence that heading in youth soccer causes any permanent brain injury and there is limited evidence that heading in youth soccer can cause concussion.” Thus, it may be deduced that the risk of concussion in youth soccer due to heading, despite being a possibility, is unlikely if the rules in place are obeyed.
Another sport that is high contact and linked to various neurological conditions in case of injury is American football. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is the most common among football players as it is caused as a result of repeated head injury. The danger with this diagnosis is that it leads to degeneration over time and worse it can only be definitively diagnosed during an autopsy. A study published by the National Institutes of Health, has scientists recognize this risk and urge for safer ways of playing the sport. “This study suggests that we could reduce CTE risk through changes to how football players practice and play. If we cut both the number of head impacts and the force of those hits in practice and games, we could lower the odds that athletes develop CTE,” concluded the lead of this research Daniel Daneshvar MD PhD.
Simultaneously, the declining trend in youth sport participation has followed with an increase in virtual gaming. It seems as children are replacing the time allotted for physical sports for virtual ones. It may be argued that this type of activity could be “safer” as it prevents the possibility of physical injuries. However, this presents other serious health risks, including obesity. A strong positive correlation between obesity and screen time has been discovered and published in Acta Paediatrica. Furthermore, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has presented a 95% chance of an obese child to continue obesity into adulthood which could lead to cardiovascular conditions. In addition, it is important to note that higher screen time could cause a child to experience loneliness and isolation, resulting in various mental health issues.
To gain an expert opinion, break down this data, and provide an analysis of these two perspectives, Ridvan Alimehmeti MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and professor was interviewed. “I am in favor of children participating in team contact sports. There is no evidence in the past that when children used to play sports that injuries with neurological consequences were statistically significant,” said Dr. Alimehmeti. In fact, the switch to a virtual extracurricular activity is seen as more harmful as Dr. Alimehmeti adds, “Loneliness that is a consequence of virtual “sporting” of today leads to psychological conditions such as demotivation and lack of social skills. Lone persons are prone to cardiovascular disorders in adulthood.”
“Taking care of others and being taken care of is a key to longevity. Participation in contact sports in childhood promotes this,”concluded Dr. Alimehmeti.
The benefits of participating in youth sports have been highly promoted by medical professionals and scientists in various studies, outlining the correlation of physical activity in boosting mental, physical, and emotional health. This wellness found in sports engagement could outweigh the fear of potential injury from participating in such activities.
Despite that, the declining trend in youth team sport participation continues to be a big issue in the sports management industry. This may be due to several factors such as lack of programs, financial burden, etc, but on the top of the list stands burnout and injuries. In years where youth sports participation has been high, so have been the number of emergency room visits by young athletes. This correlation may allow scientists to deduce that the potential or the experiencing of sports-related injuries could result in the lack of participation.
However, how can the misconception that participating in contact sports correlates to neurological issues change in the public's view? Well, the answer can be simple. Through practicing good scientific storytelling. By promoting youth sport participation in social and traditional media from a medical standpoint, it could ease parent anxiety regarding this issue and many others.
To better understand our evolving society and its relation with science, more space should be allowed for its comprehension in the media landscape. When reading scientific studies, one can be overwhelmed trying to simplify the data to understand how it can relate to them. Through articles like this one, it keeps the public rightfully informed and could aid to shift their misconceptions.