Chasing Life cover image

Chasing Life

Kids, Sports & the Concussed Brain

Oct 10, 2023
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.
28:54

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 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.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner