January 12, 2023
Those small hits can add up. New research suggests that repetitive hits to the head in contact sports can change brain cells in athletes.
Repetitive head impacts are hits to the head that do not lead to concussion-like symptoms. These are common in contact sports such as football and ice hockey. In the study, researchers reviewed articles on repetitive head impacts in athletes. Athletes showed less white matter integrity, which could have an effect on cognitive function.
Learn more in the Neuropsychological Review. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11065-022-09566-z