Question

this selection includes research on concussions. what is the most likely reason the author focuses on research with football and hockey players? a the author is a football and hockey fan so chose to include that research. b scientists have an easier time studying athletes who play team sports. c researchers are not able to study sports that do not require the use of helmets d athletes who play football and hockey have a higher risk of concussion. and more than 1 in every 20 teens, its data show, reported having been concussed two or more times. stopping concussions before they happen may be the only way to prevent long - term damage to the brain and how it works. thats the conclusion of the researchers behind these studies. and although anyone can sustain a head injury, athletes in many sports face a special risk. among those most likely to incur a concussion are those who play football and hockey. those taking part in the winter olympic sports of snowboarding, skiing and bobsled also are at risk

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The author's personal fandom is not a valid academic/research - based reason for focusing on specific sports, so this is incorrect.
• Option B: The passage does not mention that studying team - sport athletes is easier, and there's no support for this claim in the given text, so this is incorrect.
• Option C: The passage does not state or imply that non - helmet - using sports can't be studied, so this is incorrect.
• Option D: The passage says "Among those most likely to incur a concussion are those who play football and hockey", which means football and hockey players have a higher risk of concussion. This provides a logical reason for the author to focus on research with these players.

Answer:

D. Athletes who play football and hockey have a higher risk of concussion.