In light of recent studies indicating college players sustain more total hits to the head in practices than in actual games, the Ivy League announced Wednesday it will now only permit two full-contact practices per week during the season, down from the allowable five under the current NCAA guidelines.

Any other practices cannot include contact or live tackles, and no player may be “taken to the ground.”

The new restrictions will go into effect this season. The league is also reviewing men’s and women’s hockey, lacrosse and soccer to see if the occurrences of concussions and other head injuries can be lessened there, as well.

“Because of the seriousness of the potential consequences, the presidents determined the league needed to take proactive steps in protecting the welfare of our student-athletes,” said Robin Harris, executive director of the Ivy League.

The Ivy League conference is comprised of eight private colleges and universities, including Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

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