University of Iowa Health Care researchers released a report suggesting that youth flag football may not be safer than tackle football.

The study was initiated by Kyle Smoot, a sports medicine physician who moved to the University of Kentucky after establishing the study at UI.

It also showed concern over the rate of concussions among athletes and the long term effect and discussed the idea of having children under the age of 12 not participate in contact sports like tackle football. The UI researchers studied three football leagues with almost 3,800 participants. Among these participants, researchers compared the number of injuries,

The UI researchers studied three football leagues with almost 3,800 participants. Among these participants, researchers compared the number of injuries, severe injuries, and concussions in players competing on flag football and tackle football teams. Results show that injuries were more likely to occur in youth flag football than in youth tackle football. The number of injuries in youth football players is low but sports-related injuries still remain the leading cause of injury among children and adolescents, researchers found.

The Daily Iowan will have more on this story over the week.

— by Jenna Larson