High impact sport in schools should be regulated, according to this study, by academics at the University of Winchester, Nottingham Trent University and Bournemouth University, due to a range of negative health outcomes that flow from participation in such sports.
The study examined the strength of medical evidence showing impact sports cause serious brain injuries and concluded that this harm runs counter to existing laws around child abuse.
As well as concluding that allowing a child to play impact sport is not compatible with UK law the researchers believe there are contradictions within the policies of sports bodies themselves.
The report authors said that sports for children should not intentionally harm their brains. They should focus on fun, health, and social development, rather than conditioning them to play elite level sport.
Tackle versions of rugby or American football might be fun, but there are no proven physical or mental health benefits in taking blows to the head, compared to safer, non-contact versions.