More scientists now believe that repeated hits to the head that are too small to cause concussions may also damage the brain. Recently, the chair of the department of psychiatry at the Indiana University School of Medicine completed research that determines that these small impacts can affect the brain. These hits are common in contact sports such as football, and some athletes may feel the impact of these injuries more than others do.
Researchers used small sensors in the helmets of varsity football and hockey players at Dartmouth University to determine the impact of the hits each player endured. Additionally, at the beginning and end of the season, these athletes took cognitive tests. Some of those participating in non-contact sports such as track and field also participated in this part of the research.
In MRI scans, the potential damage to those involved in contact sports was apparent. Athletes in contact sports had changes in their brains’ white matter. More frequent and intense hits typically altered the white matter more. White matter serves as the brain’s network for communication, and changes in white matter typically indicate brain injury.
The cognitive tests did not reveal dramatic results for athletes, but 20 percent of the total football and hockey players tests yielded significantly lower results on their second cognitive tests. The researchers are still not certain that the changes can permanently affect individuals or if some are more vulnerable to repeated impact damage than others.
