Head injuries among youth soccer players have increased by 1600 percent from 1990 through 2014, according to a study released by Nationwide's Children Hospital on Monday.
While participation in soccer has surged to 3 million children, the hospital found that players are getting injured more frequently. The study did not state a reason as to why youth soccer players were more prone to concussions.
Of the injuries that required a hospital visit, 7 percent were for head injuries. Sprains accounted for a plurality of soccer-related hospital visits at 35 percent. Overall, soccer injuries increased by 77 percent since 1990, the study found.
"The sport of soccer has changed dramatically in the last 25 years,” said Huiyun Xiang MD, MPH, PhD, senior author and Director of Research Core at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital. “We’re seeing athletes play year-round now thanks to club, travel and rec leagues, and the intensity of play is higher than it ever has been. These factors combine to lead to more risk of injury.”
The study also found that girls were more susceptible to injuries than boys.
The hospital offered tips to avoid getting injured:
