Do full-contact practices increase concussions?

• Position: High School Football

Limiting full contact In high school football practices, both in-season and during the offseason, could help reduce the risk of concussions, according to a brain-injury specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

"There Is still so much we don't know about the brain and damage caused by concussions," says neuropsychologist Munro Cullum. "Anything that decreases the potential for injury to a young person's brain is a step in the right direction, though we should take these steps carefully and make sure they're based on informed decisions and good science."

Nineteen states have banned full-contact practices In the offseason for high school teams, but such bans could have unintended effects and will require additional study, Cullum states. "In theory, reducing the number of full-contact practices should also reduce the number of hits and concussions. It's also possible, however, that, with fewer contact opportunities, games could result in more concussions because players aren't as used to hitting or want to hit harder to prove themselves in less time."

The Ivy League and the National Football League both restrict full-contact practices. In addition, 42 states and the District of Columbia have adopted guidelines mandating that a player suspected of having a head...