from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine
Football has been associated with the highest rates of concussions, but a new study suggests high school girls who play soccer may face an even higher risk. Researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine note that a concussion may cause risk for more severe symptoms and prolonged recovery compared to adults. It is no small problem. An estimated three hundred thousand teens suffer concussions while participating in high school sports. The authors of the study presented to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons suggest girls have a greater risk of concussions and other injuries from soccer because of a lack of protective gear and the practice of hitting the ball with their head—known as “heading.”