Locals React To Launch Of Youth-Athlete Concussion Study
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PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) - Locals in Plano are reacting to a new Texas study that will be launching this week that will better track brain injuries in young athletes, and the results could impact how these types of injuries are treated nationwide.
Parent and coach Wesley Howard says a lot has changed since the days he played sports.
"When I played football, concussions weren't a big thing. Nowadays, kids die from this," said Howard. "I think it's important we keep everybody safe."
Howard coaches his 7-year-old son in basketball and football.
"If he did get a head injury, we'd probably pull him from youth football," said Howard.
The University Interscholastic League teamed with the O'Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center for the study.
Officials said the project will develop a national database of brain injuries that tracks about two dozen sports from girls' soccer to football.
The concussion study is said to record the cause of an injury and recovery time.
10-year-old Amanda Warren plays soccer but doesn't want to use her head while playing yet.
"I don't really like doing it because I'm afraid I'm going to hurt my face or something," said Amanda.
The study's aim is to gauge whether rules or equipment changes improve player safety.
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