New Study Highlights CTE Risk Beyond Professional Sports, Raising Concerns for Youth Athletes
While the spotlight on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) has often focused on professional athletes in high-impact sports like football and hockey, emerging research indicates that the risk of developing this degenerative brain disease extends to a broader population, including young athletes and individuals in certain professions.
A important study involving male ice hockey players revealed a 34 percent increased risk of CTE for each season played, underscoring the cumulative impact of repeated head injuries.However, experts emphasize that while head trauma is a clear risk factor, it is not the sole determinant of CTE growth. Scientists are still working to understand the complex interplay of factors that lead some individuals to develop the condition while others do not.
Beyond professional sports, professions such as military service and construction, which can involve frequent head injuries, are also being examined for their potential link to CTE. Furthermore, new studies suggest that even younger children participating in recreational sports may face a risk. The Mayo Clinic notes that individuals who experience multiple head traumas in rapid succession, before a previous injury has fully healed, may also be at an elevated risk.
A 2023 study published in JAMA Neurology specifically investigated individuals who died before the age of 30 and had a history of repeated head injuries. Among this group, suicide and drug overdose were the most common causes of death. The research found that 40 percent of the participants exhibited at least a mild form of CTE. Of those diagnosed with CTE, a striking 70 percent had participated in various amateur sports, including youth leagues, high school, and college.
This data suggests that CTE is not exclusive to elite athletes. Concerns are also being raised about the potential impact of repetitive micro-traumas, such as those experienced by soccer players who head the ball, and volleyball players who can sustain concussions during gameplay.
as the scientific understanding of CTE continues to evolve, these findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and preventative measures across a wider spectrum of activities and professions to mitigate the risk of this debilitating brain disease.
