Julie Stamm, clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Kinesiology, discusses the risks and benefits of youth sports, including the presence of CTE in young individuals and the challenges in diagnosing concussions and CTE. The importance of minimizing head impacts and responsible coaching is emphasized, along with a preview of the upcoming episode on brain health and the preference for yoga.
Concussions, even subconcussive hits, can lead to significant consequences such as brain pathway stretching and chemical changes.
Protecting young athletes from repetitive brain trauma involves minimizing years of exposure to contact sports and implementing responsible coaching and practices.
Deep dives
The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury
This podcast episode explores the impact of traumatic brain injury, specifically focusing on CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). It tells the story of Nathan, a 17-year-old football player who tragically died from second impact syndrome due to a previous concussion. Dr. Ann McKee, who runs the world's largest brain bank for studying brain injuries, found tau protein deposits in Nathan's brain, similar to those seen in Alzheimer's patients. The episode highlights the importance of studying and understanding brain injuries to prevent future cases.
Understanding Concussions and Brain Trauma
The episode delves into the nature of concussions and the impact on the brain. It explains that concussions are now categorized as mild traumatic brain injuries, which can have significant consequences. Professor Julie Stan emphasizes that even subconcussive hits can lead to stretching of brain pathways and chemical changes. The symptoms of concussions vary and can include confusion, dizziness, blurry vision, emotional changes, and sleep disturbances. It also clarifies that there is no objective test to diagnose a concussion and highlights the need for caution and proper recovery in managing concussions.
Youth Sports and Preventive Measures
The podcast explores the risks associated with youth sports, particularly concerning repetitive brain trauma. Professor Stan discusses proactive measures to protect young athletes, such as minimizing the years of exposure to contact sports, starting with non-tackle alternatives like flag football. It emphasizes the importance of eliminating impacts in practice, responsible coaching, and creating a culture that values health. The episode ends by emphasizing the need to find a balance between the benefits of sports and protecting the brain.
From the NFL to youth soccer, sports teams have been forced to reckon with decades of research showing the risks of repeated blows to the head through contact sports. At the same time, participation in organized team sports has been found to be extremely beneficial for the developing brain. So how should parents square those facts and find a safe middle ground for their kids? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Julie Stamm, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Kinesiology and author of the book “The Brain on Youth Sports.” She explains why even those who don’t play sports should be aware of the risks and shares tips on how we all can keep our heads protected.
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