As brain-injury research expands, football participation falls in S.D. and across U.S. – Rapid City Journal

Football remains one of the most popular sports in America, but participation at the high school level in South Dakota is falling steadily as the risk of brain injuries becomes clearer.

Participation in 11-player boys football in South Dakota fell by 5.2% over the past three years and 16.6% over the past decade, according to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations, which has done annual surveys for more than 25 years.

Participation in nine-player football fell by 3.7% nationwide over the past 10 years, according to the survey.

The decreases came as student enrollment in grades nine through 12 in South Dakota was essentially flat during that 10-year time frame.

Nationally, participation fell across all sports for the first time in nearly 30 years; in boys 11-player high school football the sport with the highest participation fell nationally by 5.2% last year to about 1.1 million players.

Studies have shown that from 5% to 10% of youth football players will suffer a concussion at some point during a full season.

Supporters see the sport as one that builds character, focuses on teamwork, and is fun to play. Furthermore, population trends in the state show reduced enrollment in many rural schools and decreased opportunities for play.

I think its more than just looking at the number and saying, Well, over this period of time were down all these kids participating and that its because were concerned about safety, said John Krogstrand, assistant director of the South Dakota High School Athletics Association, who oversees boys sports for the group. I think its much more than that.

South Dakota had 3,756 participants in 11-player football in 68 schools in 2009 and 3,133 in 66 schools last year, according to the national survey. For comparison, the state had 3,576 participants in boys basketball last year, and 697 in boys soccer.

Krogstrand noted that his association and school districts have implemented safety guidelines, improved equipment and instituted concussion protocols to prevent head injuries and treat them better.

In South Dakota, the reduction in participation has led some districts to enter into co-op agreements in which schools form a single team. Other schools have moved from 11- to nine-player football.

Most parents are aware of the risks, yet many say they believe the game has gotten safer as the awareness of head injuries has risen.

Dale Uttecht of Sioux Falls recently watched his son, Joe, play football for Sioux Falls Washington against Rapid City Stevens. Uttecht said he sometimes holds his breath while watching another son, Logan, play wide receiver for Augustana University.

All the players are bigger, faster and stronger, so any injuries are going to be worse, he said.

Uttecht said the increased recognition of the risks of head injuries has led to changes that he believes make the game safer, including at Washington High, where a certified trainer is present for all practices and games.

You always have concerns, but I hear about concussions in soccer and basketball, too, Uttecht said.

Numerous research studies have shown a strong correlation between concussions and contact sports. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury in which the head and brain shake violently, often causing confusion, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Evidence shows that the longer a person plays football and the more hits to the head they take, the chance for long-range impairment or illnesses increases.

In its literature on concussions and sports, doctors at the Sanford Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Department in Sioux Falls write that, One of the worst things any athlete can do for their health is to keep playing after a concussion.

Yet those same physicians report that as many as 40% of youth who suffer a concussion return to play sooner than safety guidelines suggest. They also point to research showing that athletes who suffer one concussion are more likely to have subsequent concussions and can face potentially catastrophic consequences if a second concussion occurs.

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As brain-injury research expands, football participation falls in S.D. and across U.S. - Rapid City Journal