NCAA Announces Phase II of World’s Largest Concussion Study
There are more than 55,000 student-athletes and military members taking part in a concussion study pioneered by IU School of Medicine, The Department of Defense, and the NCAA.
“It’s not only the largest and most comprehensive study in history, it’s the only study in history that has look comprehensively at concussions in females,” said Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA, said to Fox 59.
The study was recently awarded over $42 million to begin phase two—which will expand the study and follow athletes up to 10 years after a concussion to learn about long-term effects.
Lead researcher, Dr. Thomas McAllister, says the study’s findings have resulted in changes to concussion protocols nationwide.
“People are concerned that a single concussion or repetitive head impact may result in long-term or permanent damage,” Dr. McAllister said to Fox 59. “I think the only way to find this out is by exactly this kind of study.”
Researchers say the study will help improve concussion protocols for athletes and also help educate parents on the safety of sports.
“There’s been a lot of fear about certain sports,” Dr. Hainline said to Fox 59.
“This is the kind of study that I think will really allow us to give parents good information so that they can make an informed decision about what their kids participate in,” Dr. McAllister said to Fox 59.
Dr. McAllister continued by adding that the research is ongoing but the study’s findings will be released as they learn more.
To read the full story from Fox 59 about the world’s largest concussion study with the NCAA, Department of Defense, and IU School of Medicine, click here.
