High School Athletes’ Perceptions of Concussion

Abstract

Background:The perception high school athletes have regarding concussions may influence their injury-reporting behavior, and if their perceptions are based on incorrect or incomplete information, they may be at risk for subsequent head injuries.Purpose:To determine whether the recent influx of concussion information has had a positive impact on high school athletes’ knowledge of concussions, to determine their perceptions regarding the severity of a concussion injury, and to determine whether receiving correct information will potentially alter their future reporting behavior.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A total of 454 high school athletes (212 females, 242 males; mean age, 15.7 ± 1.15 years) from 6 different schools participated in an anonymous survey. The researchers met with teams individually at their high schools to collect data and provide an educational intervention regarding sports-related concussions. The survey questions assessed the athletes’ personal injury histories and perceptions and knowledge of the severity of concussion injuries.Results:There was a difference in the number of athletes who reported having their “bell rung” (n = 297) versus the number of athletes reporting at least 1 concussion (n = 172) (t (453) = −11.60, P = .000, d = −0.54). There was also a difference in the number of athletes who reported a history of at least 1 concussion at the beginning of the study session (n = 172) versus the number of athletes who reported at least 1 concussion at the end of the session (n = 292) (t (453) = −12.018, P = .000, d = 0.732). Fifty percent of athletes also stated that the importance of a game/event should dictate when they return to play.Conclusion:High school athletes continue to fail to realize when they have sustained a concussion. Additionally, athletes lack understanding regarding the severity and seriousness of a concussion. A better effort at formalized education must be made if the culture of sports is to change.Clinical Relevance:Allied health care professionals need to continue to put forth a great effort in educating all student athletes on what a concussion is and the dangers of a concussion injury. Preseason meetings should be used as an opportunity to provide formalized education to all student athletes.

Misunderstandings of concussion within a youth rugby population

“…However, this study clearly highlights that a number of significant misunderstandings about concussion exist within the surveyed population as a whole. More specifically, and consistent with previous research, respondents demonstrated poor knowledge of the symptoms and treatment of concussion 5,6,12 . There is a concern that insufficient knowledge of the diverse, and on occasion delayed, symptoms of concussion, may result in young athletes not reporting concussions 11,25 .…”

“…The incidence of child and adolescent match concussion has been reported as ranging from 0.2 to 6.9 concussions per 1000 player-hours 2 , although these figures may well be lower than the reality due to the difficulty in making a diagnosis at training sessions and fixtures where a sufficiently trained professional is not available 3 . Additionally, an under-reporting of concussions may further deflate these figures 4,5 . This under-reporting likely stems from a lack of knowledge regarding the symptoms and consequences of concussion among players, coaches, and parents, as well as poor attitudes towards reporting concussion [6][7][8] .…”

“…Misconceptions about concussion have been identified in various youth sport populations, primarily from a North American context 5,10,11 . Within the sport of rugby union, research is more limited.…”

Parental knowledge of concussion: Evaluation of the CDC's “Heads up to parents” educational initiative

“…73,82 Several studies have demonstrated gaps in knowledge, identification, and management of concussion among athletes, coaches, physicians, and athletic trainers. 17,32,38,48,61,64,73 Therefore, it is imperative that parents be aware of the dangers of sustaining a concussion and knowledgeable of concussion signs and symptoms. 14,45,52,73 The first and most important step in concussion management is recognition that an injury has occurred.…”

Are Adolescent Climbers Aware of the Most Common Youth Climbing Injury and Safe Training Practices?

“…Unspecific to climbing, previous literature in adults has suggested that elite athletes significantly underestimated the disruptive effects of their injury [19]. Furthermore, one study [20] found a dramatic underreporting of concussions in high school athletes, an often mainstreamed topic in sports medicine, due to lack of knowledge, failure to recognize symptoms, and failure to receive medical attention. Similar to these findings and specific to climbing, finger growth plate injuries in youth climbers are also likely to go unreported, especially among those who climb grades identical to elite skeletally-mature climbers [10].…”