Markedly fewer concussions occurred following a minor-seeming rule change in Ivy League college football, an analysis of team physician reports found.
Concussion rates dropped 81% -- from 10.93 to 2.04 per 1,000 plays -- after kickoffs were moved up 5 yards to the 40-yard line in 2016, which had the effect of cutting the frequency of returns, reported Douglas Wiebe, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and co-authors in JAMA.
Learn more: Fewer Concussions After Football Rule Change