Incidence reporting via online high school concussion surveillance by certified athletic trainers and school nurses, 2015–2018

Abstract

Background: There is an increasing concern over adolescent concussions in sports due to risks of long-term negative effects. This study analyzed data over three school years on reported concussion incidence rates by season, high school grade levels and gender, and reported symptoms by school nurses versus athletic trainers, from New Jersey student-athlete concussion data available from an online school-based surveillance system. Methods: School nurses and athletic trainers reported 300 concussions within five days from when each occurred over three school years, 2015-2018, in team sports and physical education in New Jersey high schools. Analysis was further conducted on symptoms and number of symptoms reported by school nurses versus school athletic trainers for each documented student-athlete concussion. Estimated concussion incidence rates were calculated using state agency verified school enrollment data. Findings: Concussions most commonly occurred during fall, followed by spring, then winter. Concussion incidence rates ranged from 6.3/1000 (4.99, 7.55) -9.1/1000 (7.27, 10.98) students over the three school years of the study. Athletic trainers completed 86% of the reports while nurses completed 11% (position or title of 3%, or n = 7, were not disclosed); the values were similar when considering only fall pre-season and regular season sports (88, 10, 2%, respectively). On average, across the three school years, athletic trainers reported about 3.5 symptoms per report while nurses reported 2.7 (values in fall seasons only were 3.7 and 3.1, respectively.) Conclusions: Certified athletic trainers, compared to school nurses, more often completed concussion report forms and reported more symptoms per injured student, perhaps due partly to closer contact and immediate care provided after injury. Additionally, this study had a higher concussion incidence rate during fall sports seasons compared to winter and spring. Future research can further improve our understanding of concussions among adolescent student-athletes to better inform concussion identification, management and recovery protocols.

Sports and non-sports-related concussions among Medicaid-insured children: health care utilization before and after Ohio’s concussion law

“…Our study, in line with others (Meehan 3rd and Mannix 2010 ; McCrory et al 2017 ; Haarbauer-Krupa et al 2018 ; Gonzalez et al 2020 ; Kerr et al 2020 ), revealed higher proportions of health care utilization for SRCs among older aged males as compared to females or younger age groups. We speculate that this finding may be due in part to the prevalence of concussion in male dominated sports such as American football (McCrory et al 2017 ; Gonzalez et al 2020 ; Kerr et al 2020 ). Consistent with prior studies (Meehan 3rd and Mannix 2010 ; Haarbauer-Krupa et al 2018 ), we found higher proportions of health care utilization for NSRCs in younger age groups than older age groups.…”

Athlete Enjoyment of Prior Education Moderates change in Concussion-Reporting Intention after Interactive Education

“…In the context of concussion, the role of educational enjoyment is likely more significant, as most learners experience education due to mandate, either as a result of league rules or state laws. 21 , 22 …”

Risk factors for overuse injuries in a cohort of elite Swedish track and field athletes

“…Previous research, regardless of subjects’ gender and age, has emphasized the high number of injuries in recreational and collegiate track and field [ 1 – 5 ], as well as elite track and field [ 6 – 8 ], with a consensus that the main cause of injury is overuse. At least 90% of all overuse injuries (OI) occur at the lower extremities, with a majority of OI occurring at the foot and thigh [ 1 , 7 – 9 ].…”

“…There is, however, limited information on how OI develop in elite track and field. Athlete’s previous injury history, high training volume, and different biomechanical factors are assumed to be contributing risk factors [ 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…A typical way to evaluate injury risk in prospective studies is to compare the injured subjects to the non-injured subjects, independent from the location of injury [ 18 ]. It is questionable whether this general comparison is suitable to detect risk factors, as the mechanisms that cause OI might be different for different locations and diagnoses [ 19 ].…”