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Header Restriction Policy in Youth Soccer Shows Promising Impact on Concussion Rates

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SAN DIEGO, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new study presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) examined the impact of a policy implemented by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to address youth players heading the soccer ball. Researchers found that the policy was associated with a decrease in soccer-related concussions; however, female players experienced a higher proportion of concussions than their male counterparts.

Soccer is one of the most popular youth sports in the United States and worldwide, and it’s estimated that 3.9 million children play organized soccer in the U.S. each year.i,ii The incidence of concussions in youth soccer is estimated to be 0.19 to 0.28 per 1,000 athletic-exposuresiii or 0.5 concussions per 1,000 playing hours.iv Soccer-related concussion injury mechanisms include accidental contact with another player or field equipment, such as a goal post or the field, and intentional contact between the head and the ball in a technique called a header. Because of growing concerns regarding repeated head trauma, in 2016, the USSF banned headers for athletes under the age of 10 and limited athletes aged 11 to 13 to practicing headers for 30 minutes per week.

“We wanted to assess the impact of this policy on our patients,” said Eugenia Lin, MD, resident at Mayo Clinic Arizona. “While policies are important, we don’t always have the data to determine the effectiveness. This study aimed to analyze the long-term implications of the policy across different age groups, especially in light of growing concerns about traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive brain disease linked to repeated head injuries, in contact sports like football.”

“Pediatric Concussion Injuries in Soccer: Emergency Department Trends in the United States from 2012 to 2023” is an epidemiological analysis utilizing data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to analyze trends in soccer-related injuries relative to other injuries from soccer. The research team identified a 25.6% relative risk reduction in soccer-related concussions as a percentage of all soccer-related injuries presenting to the emergency department between 2020 to 2023 compared to 2012 to 2015.

Further breakdown of the data revealed distinct concussion trends pre- and post-policy implementation periods and concussion trends from 2012 to 2023 based on age and gender, providing insight into the policy’s differential impact across demographic subgroups. Highlights include:  

Concussions according to time frame

Prior to the policy being enacted, there was an 8% proportion of concussions from 2012 to 2015.From 2020 to 2023, the proportion of concussions in relation to other injuries decreased to 6%, noting a relative risk reduction between time periods.

Concussions according to age

Soccer-related injuries and concussions were stratified by three age cohorts from 2012 to 2023 and data demonstrated an increase in soccer-related injuries and concussions as players got older.

There were 8,793 total soccer-related injuries and 431 concussions (4.9%) in players 6- to 9-years-old.A total of 23,275 soccer-related injuries were reported in players 10- to 13-years-old, of which 1,527 were concussions (6.6%).A total of 26,907 soccer-related injuries were reported in players 14- to 17-years-old, of which 2,397 were concussions (8.9%).

Concussions according to gender

Female players experienced fewer overall soccer-related injuries than male players, but a greater proportion of their injuries were concussions.Female players presented to the emergency department for 21,040 soccer-related injuries between 2012 and 2023, of which 2,010 were concussions (9.6%).Male players were seen for 37,935 soccer-related injuries, of which 2,345 were concussions (6.2%).The proportion of concussion diagnoses for both male and female players was lowest in 2023, at 4.3% and 7.8%, respectively. The highest annual proportion of concussion diagnoses was 8.4% for male players and 10.5% for female players, both in 2012.

“Although not all concussions result from headers, a measurable percentage still do, and it is encouraging to observe a trend indicating a decline in concussion rates,” said Anikar Chhabra, MD, MS, FAAOS, senior author, associate professor and director of Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic Arizona. “While we cannot attribute this reduction solely to policy changes, these data suggest that these regulations may positively impact different age groups and time periods. Now that physicians, athletic trainers, coaches and parents understand the long-term implications of concussions, it is crucial to continue refining and reinforcing evidence-based policies that prioritize player safety and injury prevention.”

2025 AAOS Annual Meeting Disclosure Statement

About the AAOS
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level to best treat patients in their daily practices. AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.

Follow the AAOS on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

For more information, contact:

i Hulteen RM, Smith JJ, Morgan PJ, et al. Global participation in sport and leisure-time physical activities: a systematic review and meta- analysis. Prev Med. 2017;95:14-2
ii Watson A, Mjaanes JM; Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Soccer injuries in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(5): e20192759.
iii Pfister T, Pfister K, Hagel B, Ghali WA, Ronksley PE. The incidence of concussion in youth sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(5):292-297.
iv Mooney J, Self M, ReFaey K, et al. Concussion in soccer: a comprehensive review of the literature. Concussion. 2020;5(3):CNC76.

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SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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SoftwareOne named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SAM Managed Services

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16 minutes ago

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October 26, 2026

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Empowering clients with proven SAM excellence

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SoftwareOne (SIX: SWON), a leading global software and cloud solutions provider, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SAM Managed Services for the seventh consecutive year.

SoftwareOne believes this recognition reflects its commitment to helping clients achieve measurable value from their cloud, software and AI investments as licensing models continue to shift.

Software asset management (SAM) gives organizations visibility and control over their on-premises IT, cloud and SaaS estates. SoftwareOne helps customers simplify these portfolios, improving financial control and managing licensing and audit risks, so they can direct resources towards business priorities and innovation.

“Seven consecutive years as a Leader matters to us because we believe that consistency is what our customers actually buy. The technology landscape continues to grow more complex as organizations navigate an ever-expanding mix of software licensing, cloud consumption, and AI-driven business models,” says Raphael Erb, CEO, SoftwareOne. “Our customers need a partner whose judgement holds up through all of it. We see this recognition as validation of the expertise, commitment, and customer focus that our teams bring to every engagement, every day.”

Gartner delivers actionable, objective insight to executives and their teams. Its expert guidance and tools enable faster, smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization’s mission-critical priorities.

The Gartner Magic Quadrant evaluates vendors based on their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. We are honored to be included among the recognized vendors in this important report. Learn more about the Magic Quadrant.

Helping clients unlock value from IT portfolios

SoftwareOne’s ITAM and FinOps portfolio brings together software asset management, FinOps and AI optimization, SaaS management, IT sustainability advisory and vendor management. These services help clients cut waste, manage audit risks and go into publisher negotiations, with a clear picture of what technology they use and what it all costs.

With global delivery at scale, SoftwareOne helps organizations optimize and simplify AI cloud and software investments across hybrid environments. AI-enabled automation powers licensing intelligence, compliance and cost control, so clients can reduce spend and make confident decisions about where to reinvest.

Positioned alongside SoftwareOne in the Magic Quadrantii as A Leader is Anglepoint, an independent company that is majority-owned by SoftwareOne. 

About the Gartner Magic Quadrant

The Gartner Magic Quadrant evaluates providers on Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Leaders execute well against their current vision and are well positioned for tomorrow. SoftwareOne views its recognition as a reflection of the consistency of its SAM managed services and the work of its delivery teams.

Source

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Software Asset Management Managed Services, By Yolanda Harris, Jaswant Kalay, and Rob Schafer. October 2026

Gartner disclaimers and trademarks

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, and Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About SoftwareOne

SoftwareOne is a global software and cloud solutions provider and distributor. With a presence in over 70 countries and a team of about 12,000 professionals, we combine global scale and local expertise to help partners and customers optimize costs, source, and procure, accelerate growth, and navigate complex IT environments with confidence. Leveraging deep capabilities in cloud, software, and data and AI, the company empowers organizations to modernize, innovate, and unlock the full value of their technology investments. Headquartered in Switzerland, SoftwareOne is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Euronext Oslo Børs under the ticker symbol SWON. Visit us at www.softwareone.com

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SOURCE SoftwareONE

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TrueLoyal® Appoints Erica Thompson as Head of Loyalty

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October 26, 2026

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Longtime retail and loyalty expert will lead loyalty strategy and program services for TrueLoyal’s brand partners

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TrueLoyal®, the loyalty and advocacy platform for consumer brands, today announced the appointment of Erica Thompson as Head of Loyalty. Thompson will lead TrueLoyal’s loyalty strategy, customer retention architecture, and lifecycle engagement work as the company continues to help brands turn consumer loyalty into a dynamic growth engine.

TrueLoyal® names longtime retail and loyalty expert Erica Thompson as Head of Loyalty.

Thompson brings more than 20 years of leadership in customer relationship management (CRM), brand loyalty, and digital marketing strategy. Throughout her career, she has led data-driven loyalty programs and omnichannel customer experiences for leading consumer brands, including serving as a retail Chief Marketing Officer and as Senior Vice President at Stride Rite. She also advised retail clients as a consultant with loyalty agency Kobie Marketing, has advised brands through her firm, ACIRE Consulting Group, and held senior marketing roles at PetSmart, New York & Company, and HSN. Her background in behavioral analytics, tiered reward structures, and customer lifecycle engagement strengthens TrueLoyal’s ability to help brands design and run programs that perform.

“Brands have to earn loyalty through compelling, continuous experiences, and points and discounts alone won’t get them there,” said Jacek Materna, CEO of TrueLoyal. “Erica’s proven ability to build scalable loyalty engines and translate customer insights into genuine brand devotion makes her the perfect leader for our next chapter.”

“I’ve spent my career on the brand side of loyalty, and the programs I’m proudest of were the ones built around what customers actually cared about,” said Thompson. “That’s the work I want to keep doing. I’m here to roll up my sleeves with our brands, understand what their customers need, and help them build loyalty that’s worth something to both sides.”

At TrueLoyal, Thompson will lead the company’s enterprise loyalty frameworks, its Program Strategy and managed loyalty services, and cross-functional alignment across product and client strategy. Her appointment reflects TrueLoyal’s continued investment in loyalty expertise as the company grows with CPG and D2C hybrid brands.

About TrueLoyal

TrueLoyal® is a loyalty and advocacy platform that helps brands turn the customer experience into repeat purchases and long-term growth. Brands use Rewards to run their loyalty program and Fan Club™ to bring community and user-generated content together, all connected to the commerce systems they already use. TrueLoyal also offers services that range from Program Strategy to fully managed loyalty operations. Learn more at trueloyal.com.

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SOURCE TrueLoyal

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THE POWER HOUR™ LAUNCHED FROM TIKTOK HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK CITY WITH A BOLD MISSION: MOVE THE WORLD FOR ONE HOUR

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October 26, 2026

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The Power Play Impact Fund and The Power Hour™ Began a 365-Day Global Countdown to an October 2027 Guinness World Records Attempt Turning Movement Into Impact for the Next Generation

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What could happen if, for one hour, the world moved together?

Recently in New York City, The Power Hour™ and Power Play Impact Fund officially launched an ambitious global movement built around a remarkably simple idea: invite people everywhere to dedicate one hour to physical movement and turn that collective action into meaningful impact for youth and communities.

The announcement was made during an exclusive gathering hosted at TikTok Headquarters in New York City on the opening day of Advertising Week New York, bringing together professional athletes, business leaders, Family Offices, health and wellness leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

October 5 was day one of a 365-day global countdown. In October 2027, The Power Hour™ will bring people across countries, communities, companies, and cultures together for 60 synchronized minutes of physical movement as part of an ambitious Guinness World Records attempt. Think walk, run, dance, yoga: move the way you want. It is being built as an inclusive global movement rather than a traditional fitness event. Participation in the global movement is FREE, removing one of the barriers to joining.

The Founder and Visionary behind The Power Hour™and Power Play Impact Fund is Angella Goran. A former professional cyclist and world-class multi-sport athlete, she has built a career spanning entrepreneurship, technology, financial innovation, sport, and social impact. Her experience as an athlete and her belief in the lifelong opportunities created through sport, wellness, and community became the foundation for The Power Hour™.

“I’ve always believed that one hour of collective action can become the starting point for something that lasts far longer,” said Goran. “When millions of people around the world move together for 60 minutes, we create more than a record. We create lasting impact for youth and communities across physical, mental, nutritional and financial wellness.”

The Power Hour™is excited to partner alongside some incredible athletes such as:

Jerome Williams, former NBA Player, founder of Shooting for PeaceAngela Ruggiero, 4x Olympic Medalist, Founder of Sports Innovation Lab & Women’s Sports Club (acquired by GENIUS in 2026)The Gasol Foundation, Founded by Pau Gasol (6x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Championship Winner, 3x OLY and Chair of IOC Athletes’ Commission)Dr. Jen Welter (1st NFL Female Coach/Player, 2x Gold Medalist Team USA, Founder of Grrridiron Girls Foundation & “The Day in the Life Of” event series)

The vision is to harness technology, social platforms, connected fitness, and community activations to transform millions of individual actions into one extraordinary collective moment. But breaking a record isn’t the ultimate goal. Creating impact is.

At the heart of The Power Hour™ is the Power Play Impact Fund, created to help raise awareness and funding for youth and community initiatives across four interconnected areas of wellness: physical, mental, nutritional, and financial. The Power Hour™ believes that movement belongs to everyone. There is no qualifying time. No required sport. No expectation of athletic ability.

The Uptown Agency in Dallas has partnered with The Power Hour™ to provide support on communications and other projects.

Just move.
ONE WORLD. ONE HOUR. ONE MOVEMENT.
The countdown starts now.

ABOUT THE POWER HOUR™

The Power Hour™ is a global movement and social-impact initiative created to unite people through 60 minutes of physical movement. Through sport, technology, community and collective action, The Power Hour™ aims to connect individuals, athletes, businesses and communities around the world while creating meaningful impact for the next generation. The inaugural global event is planned for October 2027 and will pursue a Guinness World Records attempt through synchronized participation around the world. To learn more, please visit https://www.powerhour.world/.

ABOUT POWER PLAY IMPACT FUND

The Power Play Impact Fund is the impact engine behind The Power Hour™, supporting a mission focused on investing in and donating to youth and community initiatives for physical, mental, nutritional, and financial wellness. Through partnerships, charitable giving, fundraising, and The Power Hour™ global movement, the initiative seeks to direct attention and resources toward programs that create greater opportunity, well-being, and accessibility for youth and communities. The Power Play Impact Fund operates with LOHAS as its fiscal sponsor administrator.

ABOUT THE UPTOWN AGENCY

The Uptown Agency is an award-winning, full-service marketing and branding partner dedicated to engineering differentiation through creative excellence and data-driven strategy. Recognized as a leader in brand growth, the agency combines industry-leading expertise in brand strategy, creative development, digital marketing, web development, and PR to deliver bespoke solutions that activate audiences and drive measurable results. The Uptown Agency is a true extension of client teams, prioritizing deep business understanding over templated approaches. Their work spans strategic brand overhauls, custom-coded web experiences, and high-impact campaigns that blend cultural relevance with technical precision. Explore their work at www.theuptownagency.com.

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SOURCE The Power Hour

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