Program to reduce concussions and head impacts in youth football

COmmunities Aligned to Reduce Concussion and Head Impact Exposure (COACH)

Not applicable Interventional Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT06624202

This study is testing a new safety program for youth football coaches to see if it can help reduce concussions and head impacts for young players.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment880 (estimated)
Ages11 Years to 14 Years
SexAll
SponsorWake Forest University Health Sciences Academic / other
Locations1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Trial IDNCT06624202 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to address the public health concern of head impacts in youth football by implementing a safety program called COACH. The program focuses on educating youth coaches about safe practice planning and changing attitudes towards head impacts. By partnering with community stakeholders, the study evaluates the adoption and effectiveness of COACH in reducing head impacts and concussions among young athletes. The research will also monitor the implementation process to identify factors that influence its success.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are youth football players who do not have braces or dental appliances that may interfere with the study's interventions.

Not a fit: Patients who currently have braces or plan to have them during the football season will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce the incidence of concussions and improve brain health in youth football players.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar community-based interventions aimed at reducing head injuries in sports, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants without braces

Exclusion Criteria:

* Athletes will be excluded from participation if they currently have braces or plan to have braces during the football season, or have dental appliances that may impede the fit of the mouthpiece device (e.g., Herbst Appliance).

Where this trial is running

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Concussionsfootball injuriessubconcussive head impactshead impact exposure
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.