Here are the findings from eight studies and reports about concussions. The studies were published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine unless otherwise noted.
1. Concussions more likely to occur in games than in a practice. After examining information from more than 7 million athletes participating in high school sports throughout the 2008-2010 academic years, researchers found that athletes were more likely to have concussions during games than practices. The study reported 47 percent of the 1,936 concussions reported were among football players. Girl's soccer was the second highest reporting group, at 8.2 percent. In sports where girls and boys were comparable, girls had a higher rate of concussion than boys.
2. Players often take at least a week before returning after a concussion. The same study found that only 22.8 percent of athletes with concussions returned to play in less then one week and 2 percent returned to play the next day. Approximately 40 percent of athletes reported having their concussion symptoms resolved in three days or less, with girls swimming as the notable exception.
3. Medical professionals shouldn't assume perfect baseline. There are several factors that can have an impact on baseline neurocognitive testing scores for youth athletes, which means a perfect baseline score of 100 points can't be assumed every time. Researchers in a new study administered the SCAT2 baseline concussion test for 1,134 high school athletes and found male athletes had a lower total score than female athletes. Additionally, 9th graders had a significantly lower score than 11th and 12th graders and athletes with self-reported concussion histories scored lower than those who didn't report previous concussions.
4. Neurocognitive testing in groups could skew scores. Administering neurocognitive baseline concussion tests in a group setting could skew results, according to a recent study. After examining high school athletes during preseason baseline neurocognitive testing with the ImPACT test, researchers found athletes who took the test in a group scored significantly lower on verbal memory, visual memory, motor processing speed and reaction time than people who took the test individually. The athletes in a group setting also had a greater rate of invalid baselines.
5. Dizziness assessment identifies athletes at risk for longer recovery. In a study of 107 male high school football athletes who completed computerized neurocognitive testing within 2.4 days of a concussion, researchers found that dizziness at the time of injury was associated with a 6.34 odds ratio of protracted recovery. The athletes in the study were followed until a neuropsychologist cleared them to return to play.
6. Girls and boys show different symptoms after concussions. A report authored by Elizabeth Arendt, MD, and Margo Putukian, MD, shows that amnesia and confusion or disorientation are symptoms more often reported by male athletes. On the other hand, female athletes are more likely to report symptoms such as drowsiness and sensitivity to noise. Despite the difference in symptoms reporting, the study showed no difference in resolution or return to play time.
7. Most sports-related concussions reported with head-to-head collisions. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston reported that 76 percent of concussion occurred when athletes collided with one another and 53 percent of those collisions were head-to-head. The researchers also found that football players were less likely to have computerized neuropsychological testing after an injury than any other sport. When neuropsychological testing is used, athletes are less likely to return to play within a week of the injury 26 percent of the time.
8. Modern football helmets have same concussion risks as leatherheads. A study conducted by researchers at Cleveland Clinic and published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that modern helmets are better at preventing skull fractures than leatherheads, but not at preventing injury from lower impact hits. The study examined 11 widely-used high school football helmets and two leatherheads on crash dummies. The simulation placed 75 Gs or less force at different angles to show how different types of hits could impact the athlete.
Related Articles on Sports Medicine:
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1. Concussions more likely to occur in games than in a practice. After examining information from more than 7 million athletes participating in high school sports throughout the 2008-2010 academic years, researchers found that athletes were more likely to have concussions during games than practices. The study reported 47 percent of the 1,936 concussions reported were among football players. Girl's soccer was the second highest reporting group, at 8.2 percent. In sports where girls and boys were comparable, girls had a higher rate of concussion than boys.
2. Players often take at least a week before returning after a concussion. The same study found that only 22.8 percent of athletes with concussions returned to play in less then one week and 2 percent returned to play the next day. Approximately 40 percent of athletes reported having their concussion symptoms resolved in three days or less, with girls swimming as the notable exception.
3. Medical professionals shouldn't assume perfect baseline. There are several factors that can have an impact on baseline neurocognitive testing scores for youth athletes, which means a perfect baseline score of 100 points can't be assumed every time. Researchers in a new study administered the SCAT2 baseline concussion test for 1,134 high school athletes and found male athletes had a lower total score than female athletes. Additionally, 9th graders had a significantly lower score than 11th and 12th graders and athletes with self-reported concussion histories scored lower than those who didn't report previous concussions.
4. Neurocognitive testing in groups could skew scores. Administering neurocognitive baseline concussion tests in a group setting could skew results, according to a recent study. After examining high school athletes during preseason baseline neurocognitive testing with the ImPACT test, researchers found athletes who took the test in a group scored significantly lower on verbal memory, visual memory, motor processing speed and reaction time than people who took the test individually. The athletes in a group setting also had a greater rate of invalid baselines.
5. Dizziness assessment identifies athletes at risk for longer recovery. In a study of 107 male high school football athletes who completed computerized neurocognitive testing within 2.4 days of a concussion, researchers found that dizziness at the time of injury was associated with a 6.34 odds ratio of protracted recovery. The athletes in the study were followed until a neuropsychologist cleared them to return to play.
6. Girls and boys show different symptoms after concussions. A report authored by Elizabeth Arendt, MD, and Margo Putukian, MD, shows that amnesia and confusion or disorientation are symptoms more often reported by male athletes. On the other hand, female athletes are more likely to report symptoms such as drowsiness and sensitivity to noise. Despite the difference in symptoms reporting, the study showed no difference in resolution or return to play time.
7. Most sports-related concussions reported with head-to-head collisions. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston reported that 76 percent of concussion occurred when athletes collided with one another and 53 percent of those collisions were head-to-head. The researchers also found that football players were less likely to have computerized neuropsychological testing after an injury than any other sport. When neuropsychological testing is used, athletes are less likely to return to play within a week of the injury 26 percent of the time.
8. Modern football helmets have same concussion risks as leatherheads. A study conducted by researchers at Cleveland Clinic and published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that modern helmets are better at preventing skull fractures than leatherheads, but not at preventing injury from lower impact hits. The study examined 11 widely-used high school football helmets and two leatherheads on crash dummies. The simulation placed 75 Gs or less force at different angles to show how different types of hits could impact the athlete.
Related Articles on Sports Medicine:
NOCSAE Donates $845k to Sports-Related Concussion Researchers
AAOS Adds PRP Symposium to Annual Meeting
Boston Red Sox Announce New Medical Care Structure