Millions of children and adolescents participate in youth soccer. The growing popularity of soccer among youths combined with reports in the medical literature that soccer players may be at increased risk for brain injury has fostered concern that children who play soccer may not be adequately protected from head injury.

To explore whether soccer playing puts youths at risk for lasting brain damage, the Institute of Medicine held a workshop on October 12, 2001 at which experts in head injury, sports medicine, pediatrics, and bioengineering were asked to

• explore the scope of the scientific evidence regarding repetitive head injury in players;
• assess the special considerations for such injuries for youths by reviewing the role of development on vulnerability; and
• identify the policy issues relevant to head injuries in youth sports.

The issues addressed include the biology of concussion, when to return a concussed player to the field, studies of soccer and footbal players, among others.