Garrett Joel M, Headrick Jonathon
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, 1 Parklands Dr, Southport, QLD, 4215, Australia.
Sports Med. 2025 May 3. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02236-z.
This current opinion article evaluates the rationale for delaying or modifying tackling in youth contact sports until age 12 years. There is growing concern that young athletes may be at heightened risk of sports-related concussions (SRC) and other injuries due to their developing brains and less-developed neuromuscular control. Recent studies exploring non-tackle formats, weight categories and body-checking restrictions demonstrate the potential benefits of reducing high-impact collisions at younger ages without the detrimental effects, i.e., increased SRC rate, when contact is introduced. Yet, critics may worry that delayed contact, such as tackling, may leave children unprepared for physical challenges, dampen sports engagement or fail to yield significant benefits in the long term. This article synthesises emerging evidence, highlights controversies and proposes future directions for policies and research. Ultimately, delaying tackling until the age of 12 years, paired with robust contact skill instruction and progression, may offer a safer path for children's long-term health and sports participation.
这篇述评文章评估了将青少年接触性运动中的擒抱动作推迟或调整至12岁的理论依据。人们越来越担心，年轻运动员由于大脑发育以及神经肌肉控制能力发育不足，可能面临更高的与运动相关的脑震荡（SRC）和其他损伤风险。最近探索非擒抱形式、体重级别和身体检查限制的研究表明，在较低年龄段减少高冲击力碰撞具有潜在益处，且引入接触时不会产生不利影响，即增加SRC发生率。然而，批评者可能担心，推迟接触，如擒抱动作，可能会让儿童对身体挑战毫无准备，降低运动参与度，或者从长远来看无法产生显著益处。本文综合了新出现的证据，突出了争议点，并提出了政策和研究的未来方向。最终，将擒抱动作推迟到12岁，同时辅以强有力的接触技能指导和循序渐进的训练，可能为儿童的长期健康和运动参与提供一条更安全的途径。
