Advance notice of study

Advance Notice of Youth Soccer Concussion Study

In the next several days, you will receive a request from CSR, Incorporated inviting you to participate in a study regarding concussions in youth soccer. I am writing to you today to give you advance notice of the study, to let you know that US Youth Soccer Board of Directors, on the recommendation of staff, has endorsed this study and to strongly encourage your participation. Continuing to play after sustaining a concussion is a concern and US Youth Soccer is committed to protecting participants of all youth sports who may be at risk of concussion. The involvement of US Youth Soccer and its members is part of a continued effort to invest in the health and safety of youth athletes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has contracted with a team of researchers led by CSR, Incorporated to conduct this important study. The study will ask about your knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding concussions. You will also be asked to report weekly on the number of games and practices you’ve participated in and any injuries you may have sustained. The initial online survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time and the weekly reports can be completed using an automated phone system in roughly 3 minutes.

Your responses will provide critical information that may be used to inform policies regarding the safety of youth sports nationwide.

Your responses will be collected directly by the research team and will only be presented to U.S. Youth Soccer and the CDC as a description of the overall group who volunteer to participate. . Your individual responses will not be made available. Your decision about study participation does not impact your relationship with US Youth Soccer.

It is my hope that you choose to participate in the study. Your input is highly valued and very much needed.

If you have any questions, please contact Robin LaVallee at rlavallee@csrincorporated.com.

Best regards,

Pres/CEO US Youth Soccer