The end of summer hails the start of football season celebrated widely across America. Sports concussions occur in a wide range of sports and the consequences have made headlines in recent years. A recent article from the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) sheds new light on traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s in sports participation. The study examined 1875 adult males who participated in sports and 729 who played football. Football had the highest odds of Parkinsonism and Parkinson’s compared to other sports. Length of play and level of play was associated with higher odds.
Exposure to repetitive head impact is considered a risk factor for chronic traumatic brain injury. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy(CTE) has been pathologically diagnosed in former football players, ice hockey, soccer and rugby players. Prior research has pointed to a link between traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s. The effects of repetitive traumatic brain injury such as may occur in sports participation has not been well studied. The study led by researchers Hannah J. Bruce, MS (Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center) evaluates associations between participation in American football and self-reported Parkinsonism or actual Parkinson’s disease.
The cross-sectional study included data from 1875 adult males with a mean age of 67.69 years split into those who played football and those who played other sports. Both groups completed online questionnaires regarding diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or Parkinsonism by health care professionals. Logistic regression analysis was utilized for associations between Parkinson’s disease status and history and duration of football participation, highest level played and age of first exposure. Among the control group, who played other sports, the most common sports were soccer, ice hockey, amateur wrestling and boxing.
A history of playing football showed higher odds of having a diagnosis of Parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease than non-football players. A longer duration of play for all sports was also associated with higher odds of Parkinson’s disease or Parkinsonism. Higher level of play in addition to longer duration of play was specifically noted among those who played football and associated higher odds of Parkinsonism and Parkinson’s disease.
While retrospective in nature the study sheds light on connections between sports participation (especially football) and Parkinsonism and Parkinson’s disease. Future prospective studies will prove beneficial.
