Originally Posted by
THEsocalledfan
How though? That is where I disagree. The only way to definitively study it is to do a randomized, controlled prospective trial. (kids are randomly assigned to play or not play football with no choice in the matter once assigned.) That will not happen. Next best option is to do a prospective cohort trial trying your best to match demographics. That will take at least 20 years to get results, not to mention if you want autopsy results, longer. (most object to brain samples when living) So, no, we will not get better data even if the media and stupid people try to pass off stuff as good data. We will get lots of crap, uncontrolled restrospective data folks who want glory will try to pass off as quality research. (granted, not much different than surgical data.....hope folks can sleep at night)
Rule #1 of this kind of research; you have to do it prospectively with some kind of decent control to knock out the weeds. The rest is crap and I will remain skeptical and keep my kids in football and mock the hysteria.