Some parents won't let kids play sports because of concussions

Concussions have driven many away from allowing their children to play football in recent years, but a new survey of 1,000 parents says that trend may be spreading to other sports as well.

 

ParentsKeepingKidsOutPieChart

In fact, some parents said they will not allow their children to play any sport at all. To the left is the breakdown of the responses.

 

Of the parents that said that they’d only allow their children to play certain sports (about 330), basketball was the most popular, with 66 percent approving. Rugby was understandably the least accepted, with a 6 percent approval rate. Below are the approximate number of parents of those 330 or so who would allow their children to play each sport.

 

Parents are learning to be cautious about sports concussions, and that’s a good thing. These numbers certainly reflect the growing concern over children’s heads and long-term health, though they may also herald a decline in the sports themselves. How big and how lasting of an impact remains to be seen, and only time will tell.

 

ParentsKeepingKidsOutBarChart

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.

Comments