logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
28m 54s

Kids, Sports & the Concussed Brain

CNN
About this episode

From the NFL to youth soccer, sports teams have been forced to reckon with decades of research showing the risks of repeated blows to the head through contact sports. At the same time, participation in organized team sports has been found to be extremely beneficial for the developing brain. So how should parents square those facts and find a safe middle ground for their kids? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Julie Stamm, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Kinesiology and author of the book “The Brain on Youth Sports.” She explains why even those who don’t play sports should be aware of the risks and shares tips on how we all can keep our heads protected.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 22
Exploring the Brain with 10-Year-Old ‘Sean the Science Kid’
At 10 years old, brainiac Sean the Science Kid already has plenty in common with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: He loves to learn and explain science to his million-plus Instagram followers. He's an advocate for positivity. And when he grows up, he wants to be a ("neuro-cardio") surgeon. So, ... Show More
28m 41s
Aug 19
The New Healthy Blood Pressure Rules
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure — and the guidelines for managing it just changed. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the new rules, including surprising advice on alcohol. Plus, he answers a listener’s follow-up: does the recommended daily dose of “morning sunlight” cha ... Show More
13m 3s
Aug 15
Parenting Has Changed. Here’s What You Need To Know
Feeling overwhelmed as a new parent? Sleep-deprived and drowning in advice? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Parenting can have many different approaches and let’s face it, has changed a lot since you were an infant. Dr. David Hill, pediatrician, author, and AAP spokesperson, break ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
What’s being done to protect athletes from brain injuries?
American Football, Rugby, MMA, UFC. All these adrenaline-filled sports bring in millions of viewers each year, and athletes put their bodies and brains on the line to excel in them. But there’s increasing concern that head injuries are leading to serious mental health problems.BB ... Show More
15m 33s
Oct 2021
Jim Taylor, PhD | How Sports Help Kids Win at Life
Less than 1 percent of kids grow up to be pro athletes. But the point of getting kids involved in sports isn’t to raise the next Serena or LeBron, says sport psychologist and parenting expert Jim Taylor, PhD. It’s to give them the mental tools to be healthy, happy and successful ... Show More
40m 44s
Mar 2022
Playing Sports and Mental Health with Brock Huard
How can sports impact our mental health? Playing sports can teach valuable life skills like resilience, endurance, and how to work with others. It can also support cognitive development, improving focus and problem-solving skills. There are also concerns about whether the pressur ... Show More
28m 52s
Dec 2023
Football’s Young Victims
Warning: this episode contains mentions of suicide.A recently released study from researchers at Boston University examined the brains of 152 contact-sport athletes who died before turning 30. They found that more than 40 percent of them had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C ... Show More
32m 35s
Feb 2023
Babbage: The fight to link contact sports to long-term brain injuries
Over the past few years, hundreds of rugby players have launched class-action lawsuits against the sport’s governing bodies, accusing them of failing to do enough to protect players from head injuries. They say that repeated blows to the head, sustained through years of playing r ... Show More
40m 41s
Sep 2022
85: My Kids Lose it When They Make Sports Mistakes. How Can I Help?
When kids get stuck or fall apart while playing sports, what should parents do? Dr. Lisa offers strategies for when kids lose their cool, and explains a key change in thinking can help kids manage when they make mistakes. She and Reena also discuss how to help kids appreciate the ... Show More
32m 15s
Apr 2017
If I knew Then What I Know Now, I Never Would’ve Played Football – Part 2 of an Interview with Anthony Davis
In Part 2 of an interview with former NFL and USC football star, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana discuss growing up with sports, and how choices made on the field can affect all aspects of life down the road. Learn which sports are the worst for your children's health, as well as which ... Show More
17m 50s
Dec 2020
Failing players for too long: Football’s head trauma shame
Raúl Jiménez suffering a fractured skull brought football’s negligence of head injury prevention and care back into the spotlight. But, as we explore on today’s episode of Between The Lines, the game has long been aware of the research on the long-term effects of such trauma and ... Show More
50m 4s
Jun 2022
Amanda Beard | Coming of Age in Competitive Sports
Amanda Beard grew up in the spotlight. She graced the Olympic podium by 14, racked up eight USA Swimming national titles and appeared on the covers of numerous sports and lifestyle magazines. But with the glamour and glory came intense media scrutiny that led her to struggle with ... Show More
44m 30s
Jan 2022
Mental Health Miniseries: Kayla McBride
For Kayla McBride, basketball was never just a game.It was an escape from her childhood traumas and subsequent mental health struggles. But when sports came to a halt during the pandemic, she was forced to face the woman behind the athlete. On the final episode of our three-part ... Show More
36m 51s