Prevention of concussion and long-term effects of repetitive traumatic brain injury: Unanimous consensus from the Cantu Concussion Summit

Objective: The Cantu Concussion Summit aimed to gather clinicians and researchers to share findings and identify research gaps in brain injury and long-term cognitive disorders in athletes. Design: The conference concluded with a discussion of ways to best mitigate the risk of concussion and repetitive traumatic brain injury (RTBI). Setting and Participants: The summit was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the National Football League and featured a diverse group of experts from multiple disciplines. Interventions: N/A. Main Outcome Measures: This discussion resulted in unanimous agreement supporting six consensus statements aimed at enhancing player safety and health. Results: These consensus statements are as follows: (1) Eliminate intentional and avoidable head impacts in sports practices and games. (2) Encourage policies that limit the number, duration, and intensity of head impacts during sports practices and games. (3) Reinforce proper and safer techniques to avoid head contact at all levels of play. (4) Implement rules that reduce and penalize intentional and avoidable contact to the head and neck. (5) Investigate specific clinical signs and symptoms associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathology through further research. (6) Improve the criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome through continued research. Conclusions: These consensus statements highlight opportunities to advance the understanding and prevention of concussions and RTBI, by emphasizing the need for ongoing research and policy changes to safeguard athletes' health and well-being. Implementation of these changes would reduce the burden of brain injuries in sports, promoting a safer environment for athletes at all levels.