Ten youth leagues in six states are participating in USA Football's study of player health and safety. The nation's governing body for the sport on the youth level commissioned the study with Indianapolis-based Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention in February. The independent scientific analysis will document player health and any sustained injuries during the 2012 season in the leagues of varying size and demographics in Arizona, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
The Datalys Center sends athletic trainers to practices and games to manage and document player health using the same methodology as it does for the NCAA and the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA Football has educated more than 82,000 youth football coaches since 2007 to best teach the sport and manage player health, including suspected concussions.
"This ground-breaking research will enable us to strengthen youth football player safety in an evidence-based way," USA Football executive director Scott Hallenbeck said. "USA Football is committed to continue to lead America's football community and discover how our country's favorite sport can be made even safer and better."
Approximately 3 million children age 6-14 play organized youth tackle football.
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