Evidence-based intervention for Improved Head Impact Safety in Youth Football

项目摘要 体育运动中的脑震荡最近备受关注；然而，非脑震荡的头部的后果 更常见的影响，因此可能更重要，可能对大脑健康有更大的影响 青年运动员。每年约有350万6岁至13岁的足球运动员，迫切需要 减少头部撞击暴露，从而提高青少年足球运动的安全性。几个青少年足球组织 已经实施了减少接触和脑震荡风险的法规；但我们缺乏生物力学证据 青少年足球为减少头部撞击暴露的政策提供信息。足球练习受到控制 适合干预的环境；然而，干预的最有效目标或如何最好地设计 并在这方面实施有效的干预措施是未知的。在其他研究领域，参与社区 成员一再被证明是成功开发、实现和维持的关键 可行的干预措施。其目标是开发和试点一种基于证据的干预措施，以减少 青少年足球中的头部撞击暴露，使用社区参与的方法。一个全面的 指导培训计划已经规划，与以下研究目标密切一致。在目标1中，30 参加两支球队(12-14岁)的青少年足球运动员将配备 基于口罩的头部撞击传感器。生物力学数据将在团队中收集和量化 这些活动将用于为与利益攸关方(教练、家长、联盟官员)的讨论提供信息。vbl.使用 一种审计和反馈方法，与利益相关者共享生物力学数据，以及匿名调查，我们 将评估对变化的认识和接受程度。在目标2中，将使用混合方法综合已确定的数据 来自文献和目标1.利益相关者将参与识别、开发和提炼基于证据的 在社会生态模式的每个层面上减少头部撞击暴露的战略。结果将包括 明确的目标、指导方针、资源和实施干预的时间表。在Aim 3中，有两个新的 将招募中学级别(12-14岁)的青少年足球队对干预进行试点测试 在AIM 2中开发。将使用以下方法测量参加两个队的30名运动员的头部撞击暴露 头部撞击传感器和干预措施在减少头部撞击暴露方面的有效性以及 将对干预的可行性、可接受性和保真度进行评估。实施过程将是 监测和调查结果将分发给青年足球联盟。获得的技能，收集的数据，以及 在这个K25奖项中开发的方法将使成功的候选人成为一名独立的研究人员 将公共卫生科学和伤害生物力学相结合，开发、测试和改进伤害预防 战略。

Project Summary Concussions in sports have received much focus recently; however, the consequences of non-concussive head impacts, more common and thus potentially more important, may have a greater influence on brain health in youth athletes. With ~ 3.5 million football players between ages 6 and 13 each year, there is a critical need to reduce head impact exposure, thereby improving safety of youth football. Several youth football organizations have implemented regulations to reduce contact and concussion risk; but we lack biomechanical evidence in youth football to inform policies on reducing head impact exposure. Football practices are controlled environments amenable to intervention; however, the most effective targets for intervention or how best to design and implement effective interventions in this context is unknown. In other areas of research, engaging community members has repeatedly been shown as essential for successful development, implementation, and sustenance of viable interventions. The objective is to develop and pilot test an evidence-based intervention to reduce head impact exposure in youth football, using a community-engaged approach. A comprehensive mentored training program has been planned, closely aligned with the following research aims. In Aim 1, 30 youth football players participating on two teams at the middle school level (ages 12-14) will be fitted with mouthpiece-based head impact sensors. Biomechanical data will be collected and quantified during team activities which will be used to inform discussions with stakeholders (coaches, parents, league officials). Using an audit and feedback approach, sharing biomechanical data with stakeholders, and an anonymous survey, we will assess awareness and receptivity to change. In Aim 2, mixed methods will be used to integrate data identified from literature and Aim 1. Stakeholders will be engaged to identify, develop, and refine evidence-based strategies to reduce head impact exposure at each level of the social ecological model. Outcomes will include defined objectives, guidelines, resources, and a timeline for implementation of an intervention. In Aim 3, two new youth football teams at the middle school level (ages 12-14) will be recruited to pilot-test the intervention developed in Aim 2. Head impact exposure will be measured from 30 athletes participating on the 2 teams using head impact sensors and the effectiveness of the intervention at reducing head impact exposure as well as the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of the intervention will be evaluated. The implementation process will be monitored and findings will be disseminated to the youth football league. The skills gained, data gathered, and methods developed in this K25 Award will position the Candidate for success as an independent investigator combining public health science and injury biomechanics to develop, test, and improve injury prevention strategies.