All Pop Warner participants will receive access to CrashCourse, an interactive online program that seeks to educate young athletes about concussions. CrashCourse features some content recorded in virtual reality.
CrashCourse is the work of TeachAids, a nonprofit education initiative, and was developed in collaboration with researchers at Stanford University. Among the components of CrashCourse are a concussion symptoms simulator, a 3D representation of the brain, interactive videos starring prominent athletes, and a VR demo that mimics the experience of playing high school football. An HD version of the program is available for free online while those enrolled in Pop Warner will receive the full version.
“Although there are ample materials available for parents, coaches and medical professionals, there is a dearth of customized, research-based education for young people. If we are going to change the culture of sports we need to educate our young athletes,” said Dr. Julian Bailes, founder of The Brain Injury Research Institute, in a statement. “CrashCourse has tremendous potential to resonate with our young people and encourage them to come forward when injured.”
CrashCourse features the support of several current Stanford football players, including three co-captains and All-American running back Bryce Love.
Pop Warner counts 325,000 young people in its athletics program. There are about 225,000 football players and 100,000 involved in cheer and dance.
“We have put into place a number of important tools to make Pop Warner football safer, including major rule changes and enhanced coaching education. The partnership with TeachAids will give us yet another important approach to protecting the young people who love the game,” said Jon Butler, Pop Warner’s executive director, in a news release. “The interactive, engaging content from experts and elite Stanford student-athletes will help teach young people to recognize a concussion and emphasize the importance of speaking up if they think they or a teammate suffered a concussion.”
SportTechie Takeaway
Educating athletes at every age on brain health and the dangers of concussion is of paramount importance, and CrashCourse could be the type of engaging, interactive tool that will resonate with youth players. Participation in high school and Pop Warner football has been declining for years amid growing concern of head injuries. Embracing a tool to better inform everyone of the risks involved is in everyone’s best interests.
