Age of first exposure to American football before age 12 was associated with significantly increased odds of clinically impaired scores for depression (OR 3.08), apathy (OR 2.39), and behavioral regulation (OR 2.16) compared to exposure at age 12 or older.
Cross-Sectional (n=214)
Does age of first exposure to American football before age 12 increase the risk of long-term neuropsychiatric and cognitive impairment in former players?
Age of first exposure to American football before age 12 is associated with significantly increased odds of long-term impairment in self-reported neuropsychiatric and executive function.
Odds Ratio: 3.08 (95% CI 1.65–5.76)
Absolute Event Rate: 66.3% vs 44.2%
p-value: p=<0.001
Previous research suggests that age of first exposure (AFE) to football before age 12 may have long-term clinical implications; however, this relationship has only been examined in small samples of former professional football players. We examined the association between AFE to football and behavior, mood and cognition in a large cohort of former amateur and professional football players. The sample included 214 former football players without other contact sport history. Participants completed the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT), and self-reported measures of executive function and behavioral regulation (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version Metacognition Index (MI), Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI)), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)) and apathy (Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES)). Outcomes were continuous and dichotomized as clinically impaired. AFE was dichotomized into 2 × increased odds for clinically impaired scores on all measures but BTACT: (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): BRI, 2.16,1.19-3.91; MI, 2.10,1.17-3.76; CES-D, 3.08,1.65-5.76; AES, 2.39,1.32-4.32). Younger AFE predicted increased odds for clinical impairment on the AES (OR, 95% CI: 0.86, 0.76-0.97) and CES-D (OR, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.74-0.97). There was no interaction between AFE and highest level of play. Younger AFE to football, before age 12 in particular, was associated with increased odds for impairment in self-reported neuropsychiatric and executive function in 214 former American football players. Longitudinal studies will inform youth football policy and safety decisions.
Alosco et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Former American football players (n=214). Age of first exposure to American football < 12 years vs. Age of first exposure to American football ≥ 12 years was evaluated on Clinically impaired depression score (CES-D ≥ 16) (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.65-5.76, p=<0.001). Age of first exposure to American football before age 12 was associated with significantly increased odds of clinically impaired scores for depression (OR 3.08), apathy (OR 2.39), and behavioral regulation (OR 2.16) compared to exposure at age 12 or older.
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