A startling new study reveals that minor hits in youth sports may pose a severe threat to athletes’ brains, sparking concern for the safety of young players.
Story Highlights
- Early signs of CTE are found in over 40% of young amateur athletes.
- Study expands CTE risk to include soccer and female athletes.
- CTE can begin as early as age 17, challenging prior assumptions.
- Calls for increased research and safety measures in youth sports.
Research Unveils Early CTE Signs in Young Athletes
Research from Boston University’s CTE Center has revealed that early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are present in a significant number of young amateur athletes, including those involved in football and soccer. The study examined 152 brains and found that over 40% showed signs of CTE. Most cases were observed in amateurs, challenging the belief that CTE is a risk primarily for professional athletes.
This revelation is significant as it expands the scope of CTE risk to include not only professional athletes but also young amateurs, including female players. The study documented the first case of an American female soccer player diagnosed with CTE, highlighting the disease’s reach across genders and sports.
Watch: What Are The Early Warning Signs Of CTE? – Hockey Fan Network
Implications for Youth Sports Safety
The findings underscore the need for increased awareness and preventive measures in youth sports. Symptoms such as depression, apathy, and behavioral issues may precede CTE pathology, indicating that repeated head impacts, rather than solely concussions, are significant risk factors. This insight calls for a reevaluation of safety protocols in youth sports to protect young athletes.
As the conversation around youth sports safety intensifies, parents, coaches, and sports organizations are urged to take proactive steps. These may include advocating for rule changes to reduce head impacts and investing in research to develop early diagnostic tools for CTE. The study’s findings emphasize the urgency of these actions to prevent long-term health consequences for young athletes.
In a new study from BU CTE Center's Jonathan Cherry, PhD, and Morgane Butler, young athletes may be developing neurodegeneration before CTE due to contact sports. To read more, go to https://t.co/RkJacGnX2f. pic.twitter.com/8B5iDB5Bm1
— Boston University CTE Center (@bu_cte) September 17, 2025
Calls for Further Research and Policy Changes
Dr. Ann McKee, a leading researcher in the study, stated that CTE can begin as early as age 17 in amateur athletes. This revelation has prompted calls for further research into the early warning signs of CTE in living athletes, as current diagnosis is only possible post-mortem. There is a push for policies to regulate youth sports and fund research initiatives aimed at understanding and preventing CTE.
The sports industry faces potential reputational and liability risks as awareness of CTE grows. It is crucial for sports governing bodies and policymakers to balance athlete safety with sports participation, ensuring that youth sports can continue to be a healthy and safe activity for young people.
Sources:
Autopsy Study of Athletes Who Died Young Shows Many Had Signs of CTE
Young Amateur Athletes At Risk of CTE, Study Finds
Brains of Demented Former Soccer Pros Show Classic Signs of CTE
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Dementia
