A new study has advised that permitting children to take part in impact sports, such as rugby and boxing, should be considered a form of abuse to the child’s brain.
The study, by academics at the University of Winchester and Bournemouth University, examined the strength of medical evidence showing impact sports cause serious brain injuries and concluded that this harm runs counter to existing laws around child abuse.
As well as concluding that allowing a child to play impact sport is not compatible with UK law the researchers believe there are contradictions within the policies of sports bodies themselves.
“Sports for children should not intentionally harm their brains. They should focus on fun, health, and social development, rather than conditioning them to play elite level sport,” said Professor Eric Anderson, Professor of Sport at the University of Winchester, who led the study.
