The chance a former football player will be diagnosed with hypertension when they retire rises in step with the number of concussions they experienced during their career. High blood pressure may be another driver of cognitive decline in conjunction with repeated TBI for football players. However, controlling blood pressure could help slow both cardiovascular and cognitive decline.
Researchers explore how changes in concussion research have impacted sports and player safety.
Study reveals there is no significant uptick in men who played high school football reporting problems with brain health in middle age compared to their peers who did not play sports. However, ex-football players were more likely to experience sleep problems and be prescribed medications for chronic pain during mid-life.
Sustained hits following one season of playing football are enough to cause structural alterations to the brain. When players sustain a concussion, structural brain integrity decreases, and levels of tau increase. Researchers say, while concussions are a prime concern for those who play football, sustained hits also pose a threat to neurological health.
PET imaging of former NFL players who exhibited cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms linked to CTE showed higher levels of tau in areas of the brain associated with the neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers report repeated blows to the head as a result of playing youth football has implications for brain development. The study revealed players had alterations to the nerve fibers in the corpus callosum.
Researchers say a single season of playing high school football is all it takes to cause microscopic alterations to the structure of the brain.
Researchers find evidence of cognitive issues and miRNA biomarkers, indicating brain injuries from concussions or head-to-head contact, in college football players. The findings indicated lasting damage caused by sports related concussions occur earlier than expected.
Researchers say social bonding and the desire to protect or defend other fans may be a main motivation of football hooliganism.
A new study reports NFL teams perform better during night time games, thanks to a circadian advantage. Winning teams who play late evening games have fewer turnovers and players had better circadian regulated awareness than those who play in afternoon games, researchers report.
Using data from replacement players who entered into the NFL when professionals went on strike in 1987, researchers evaluate player mortality and overall health. The findings, researchers report, may help to make the game safer for current football players.
Researchers analyse whether a good defensive team has the ability to put on the pressure and win sports championships.