Researchers from Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center found children who play tackle football before the age of 12 increased their odds of brain damage in the future, the Time reports.
Here are five observations:
1. Researchers studied 214 former football players, including 43 who played at the high school level, 103 who played in college and 68 who played professionally.
2. The study found playing tackle football before the age of 12 increases the odds of problems with behavioral regulation, apathy and executive function later in life, as well as an increased odd of suffering symptoms of depression.
3. In 2015, Boston University conducted a similar study on 40 former NFL players who started tackle football before the age of 12. The study found structural changes to white matter in their brains.
4. Another study published in Neurology concluded greater cognitive impairment later in life associated with former NFL players who participated in tackle football before the age of 12.
5. Physicians are now recommending children do not begin tackle football until the age of 14.