A study published in the American Journal of Sports medicine examines the on-field play of professional football players after returning from a concussion.
The study includes data from the National Football League on active players during 2008 through 2012 seasons. They identified concussed players from weekly injury reports, and all players included in the study played at least four games before and after the injury. Any players with secondary injuries or multiple concussions were excluded.
There were 131 concussions among 124 players qualified for the study. The researchers found:
1. Fifty-five percent of players didn't miss a game as a result of their concussion. The players most likely to return to play without missing a game were:
• Older players
• More experienced players
• Players with late-season concussions
2. The players most commonly concussed were:
• Defensive secondary
• Wide receiver
• Offensive linemen
3. Less experienced and younger players were more likely to miss at least one game. The odds of returning to play within seven days increased 18 percent with each career year and 40 percent for each game before the sentinel game within the sentinel year.
However, these odds decreased 85 percent after new concussion guidelines were introduced in 2009.
4. Pre-injury and post-injury ProFootballFocus performance scores were similar in players who didn't miss a game, as well as players who did.
5. The players' age, body mass index, experience and previous concussion history did not correlate with postinjury score changes. "No difference in player performance after concussion was found whether the player did or did not miss a game before return," concluded the study authors. "Return without missing games may be associated with experience and timing of injury within a season and less likely after newer guidelines."