A new research study, published yesterday in the scientific journal Brain, underscores the importance of Practice Like Pros' core philosophy and traveling clinic. See below reports on the study from USA Today and NPR.
In layman's language, this research is yet more proof that neuro-degenerative disease in football players is not caused by concussion. Rather, it's caused by an accumulation of blows to the head -- the steady, unspectacular, sub-concussive rat-a-tat-tat of practicing and playing the game.
From Dr. Lee. E. Goldstein of the Boston University School of Medicine, co-author of the study: "This is concerning, particularly for kids who are not old enough to make other decisions legally on their own -- like to smoke, drink or drive a car. Just as we don't allow kids to do those activities, I think we have a moral obligation to protect them from harm."
And from Dr. Ann McKee, director of Boston University's Center for the Study of CTE: "There must be a reduction in the number of head impacts."
The best, most practical way to honor Dr. McKee's demand while fully preparing a squad for gameday is Practice Like Pros' regimen. Nothing else comes close. USA Football recommends 90 minutes per week of full-contact practice in regular-season.......PLP recommends 15. USA Football takes no position against unlimited full-contact in pre-season scrimmage and spring practice....PLP recommends five hours pre-season full-contact, including scrimmages, and no full-contact in spring.
How can a team be prepared with so little practice contact? The answer is available clearly, on video, in detail, in PLP's traveling clinic.
"Football coaches and neuro-scientists don't have a natural connection or shared language," said Terry O'Neil, Practice Like Pros' founder/CEO. "We're a bridge between their very different worlds. It's on us to find resources for more travel, more teaching, more exposure of our methods. This is the future. We need to make it the present."
Late yesterday morning, after news of the research had broken, Dr. Robert C. Cantu,another co-author of the study and senior adviser to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, messaged O'Neil: "It certainly makes Practice Like Pros look perfect."
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