Concussion Experiences in New England Private Preparatory High School Students Who Played Sports or Recreational Activities

Abstract

BACKGROUND Sports‐ and recreation‐related (SRR) activities are a major cause of adolescent concussions. Most adolescent SRR concussion research has been conducted among public school students. As private schools are qualitatively different from public schools (eg, location, socioeconomic status, sports played), this study explores the concussion experiences of a large group of private high school students. METHODS We surveyed 2047 New England private preparatory high school students who played sports or engaged in a recreational activity in 2018 about the sports they played, and their self‐reported concussion experiences (eg, age at first concussion, if concussions were sports‐ or recreation‐related). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics are presented. RESULTS One‐third (33.0%) of students who reported engaging in sport‐ or recreation‐related activities self‐reported experiencing a concussion in their lifetime. A higher percentage of boys, students who played contact sports, and those who played multiple seasons of school sports reported a concussion. Sex, contact level of primary sport played, and age of first concussion were also significantly associated with reporting a sports‐ or recreation‐related concussion. CONCLUSIONS A sizeable proportion of private preparatory high school students reported experiencing a concussion, with some students at higher risk. Private preparatory high school‐specific concussion prevention strategies may be needed.

Factors Related to Concussion Knowledge, Attitudes, and Reporting Behaviors in US High School Athletes: A Systematic Review

“…Research by Jiminez et al 50 found Hispanic students received significantly less concussion education than non‐Hispanic White students prior to experiencing a TBI. Additional reports indicate middle, private, and urban schools also lack SRC education, policies, and procedures 51,52 . All of this evidence lends credence to Harvey's 49 suggestion that concussion education be retooled to take these differences into consideration.…”

“…Additional reports indicate middle, private, and urban schools also lack SRC education, policies, and procedures. 51,52 All of this evidence lends credence to Harvey's 49 suggestion that concussion education be retooled to take these differences into consideration. 31 Cournoyer and Tripp, 36 Register-Mihalik et al, 32 Hunt, 34 Kurowski et al, 35 Kurowski et al, 25 Myrdal et al 26…”

Prevention of sports-related concussion in soccer: a comprehensive review of the literature

“…This can be accomplished by increasing awareness of the risks and dangers of concussion and guiding athletes to follow the rules when competing. Referees and sports officials can assist in enforcing safety standards of play when competing 2 .…”

“…The 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport defined SRC as a traumatic brain injury caused by biomechanical stresses to the head or body, which ultimately results in functional impairment and temporary neurologic deficits 33 . Concussions have been connected to a wide range of characteristics, such as prior head trauma, age, education, competitive level, attitude, gender, unexpected collision, neck stiffness, emotional risks, cervical strength, and cervical circumference 2 .…”

“…A concussion may result from a collision, blow, or shock to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. These rapid movements may cause the brain to bounce or spin inside the skull, which can alter its chemical properties 2 .…”