Why Does HITSS Matter?
Exposure to repetitive hits to the head through participation in contact and collision sports has been associated with later life brain disease and disorders.
Although much attention has focused on concussions in recent years, research has indicated that the more common subconcussive hits (i.e., head impacts from ordinary plays such as heading a soccer ball or routine blocking and tackling in football that do not result in the symptoms of concussion) may play an even more important role in later life brain health and functioning. These repetitive head impacts over a period of time may increase risk for later life mood and behavioral changes as well as memory and thinking impairments. There have been significant advances in the research in recent years, however, they are limited by focusing solely on former professional tackle football players, and/or including only small numbers of male participants. Therefore, critical gaps in scientific knowledge remain and many important questions need to be answered.