KERNERSVILLE, N.C. – Pre-season training is starting back up again, and there's new findings that show head impacts experienced during practice can change brain imaging in young players, according to a study from Wake Forest School of Medicine.
What You Need To Know
A new study shows head impacts experienced during practice can change brain imaging in young players
East Forsyth High School coaches and trainers pay extra attention to players' gear and form during pre-season to prevent injuries
Researchers say their findings support ongoing efforts to reduce the number of head impacts in football practices
Ian Sawyer is the center for East Forsyth High School, and he's happy pre-season has started up again.
"I'm excited to see what we can achieve this season, and I like being outdoors in the fresh air and I like being with my brothers," Sawyer emphasized.
Since the season is just beginning and there are a lot of new players, Sawyer says his coaches have been very diligent about teaching them safe ways to hit people while doing drills at practice.
He says their athletic trainer, Rick Metzler, has been watching to make sure they're wearing their helmets and gear properly.
"I noticed while you were out there your helmet was shaking too much, so I think it's a little loose. So, what we're going to do is we're going to go ahead and blow it up," Metzler explained.
Metzler says he's blowing up the pads inside of Sawyer's helmet to make sure it's more secure.
Metzler adds the placement of the helmet is important too in order to avoid injuries like concussions.
"If it's too loose, you're going to end up seeing some more concussions. That helmet can fly off," Metzler emphasized.
Fortunately, for Sawyer and the team, there have been very few concussions over the last several years, and he emphasizes it's because they're training properly and they do not do any head impact drills at practice.
"It's kind of a respect thing. They taught you to respect each other's health and respect your own, so you're not going to do something crazy or not very smart," Sawyer said.
Wake Forest School of Medicine researchers say findings from their head impacts study support ongoing efforts to reduce the number of head impacts in football practices.