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BY RICHARD LAYCOCK
ANCHOR LOGAN TITTLE
You're watching multisource science news analysis from Newsy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a statement denouncing boxing for children and teens.
The AAP called it an inappropriate activity for young people.
“Researchers from the AAP and the Canadian Paediatric Society reviewed the literature and found that a child's brain is more vulnerable to concussions than an adult's brain. Further, a child's brain can take longer to heal, and resulting memory impairment can make learning more difficult.”
The AAP is particularly concerned about the lasting neurological effects of boxing on developing brains.
MedPage Today quotes the authors as saying...
"Concussions are particularly concerning in children and adolescents, because there is evidence that a child's brain is more vulnerable to injury and that recovery from concussion is prolonged when compared with adults.”
In a rebuke, USA Boxing's executive director Anthony Bartkowski issued a statement arguing-- the positives outweigh the potential risk. WebMD has his comments.
"The sport of boxing and the training that accompanies it provide valuable traits.... USA Boxing focuses great efforts on ensuring that young boxers are highly supervised by their coaches at all times, and that headgear is always worn during sparring and competition.”
And others agree, adding-- boxing can be a constructive pastime for kids.
“Boxing provides exercise and can help children develop self-discipline and self-confidence. In areas where gang violence is common, boxing can provide an alternative activity.” (U.S. News & World Report)
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