Youth Sport-Related Concussions: Perceived and Measured Baseline Knowledge of Concussions Among Community Coaches, Athletes, and Parents

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

“…These findings are consistent with previous studies in that parents may demonstrate a moderate to high level of concussion knowledge and awareness, but critical knowledge gaps placing children at risk remain. 5,13,37,43,45,47,49,64,75,79,80 There is growing evidence to suggest that children are more susceptible than adults to permanent and devastating cortical brain damage, taking longer to recover to baseline neurocognitive status, than their adult counterparts. 1,2,4,6,20,22,23,27,33,36,53,62,69,70,76,78,85 For example, one study demonstrated the average number of days to return to cognitive baseline was longer for youth 13-16 years than for 18-22 year old athletes in verbal memory, visual memory, reaction time, and post concussive symptoms.…”

“…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.…”

“…13,40,43,45,73,75 Studies examining parental knowledge and awareness of sports-related concussion have demonstrated critical deficiencies. 5,13,17,18,32,43,45,49,64,67,[73][74][75]77,79,80 A majority parents (50-75%) failed to recognize that concussion was a mild traumatic brain injury, and up to 80% were unaware of medical clearance requirements for return to play. 18,32,43,49,64,73,75,79,80 Parents of youth athletes demonstrated difficulty discerning between correct and incorrect concussion signs and symptoms, missed difficulty falling asleep, increased emotion/irritability, mood alterations, and disorientation as common concussion signs and symptoms, and failed to recognize persistent symptoms associated with postconcussion.…”

“…5,13,17,18,32,43,45,49,64,67,[73][74][75]77,79,80 A majority parents (50-75%) failed to recognize that concussion was a mild traumatic brain injury, and up to 80% were unaware of medical clearance requirements for return to play. 18,32,43,49,64,73,75,79,80 Parents of youth athletes demonstrated difficulty discerning between correct and incorrect concussion signs and symptoms, missed difficulty falling asleep, increased emotion/irritability, mood alterations, and disorientation as common concussion signs and symptoms, and failed to recognize persistent symptoms associated with postconcussion. 13,17,37,49,67,74,77 In an effort to reduce injury, raise public awareness, and provide education in response to to protect people of all ages, especially children and teens, from the effects of concussion and other serious brain injuries.…”

Improving and standardizing concussion education and care: a Canadian experience

“…Coaches, who play a pivotal role in sports organizations and who have a direct influence on athletes, although generally well informed about concussion, also display some gaps in knowledge [18]. Among Canadian coaches of female youth hockey for example, information specific to the mechanism of injury, sign and symptom identification, and emotional symptoms would be particularly useful to address these poorly understood areas [19].…”