Concussions are a serious yet often overlooked issue in sports. With up to 3.8 million concussions occurring annually in the U.S. and nearly 50% going unreported (CDC), the need for awareness and injury prevention has never been greater. Among high school athletes, about 15% report at least one sports-related concussion each year, highlighting the prevalence of these injuries in youth sports.(Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2017).
High School Athletes at Risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concussions are a major concern among high school athletes:
- 15.1% of students report at least one concussion related to sports.
- 6% report two or more concussions in a single year.
- Students who participate in multiple sports teams are at an increased risk.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a sudden movement of the brain within the skull, often due to a hit, fall, or rapid acceleration-deceleration force. In contact sports, up to 10% of athletes will experience a concussion at some point in their playing career. Emergency department data consistently rank football as the leading cause of sports-related concussions (Reid et al., 2020).
Symptoms of a Concussion
DISCLAIMER: Do not substitute this article with professional medical assessment. Please seek help from a medical professional if you are experiencing even one concussion symptom, or even vaguely suspect that you may have a concussion.
Concussion symptoms can be physical, mental, or emotional and may appear immediately or within 48 hours after an impact. According to Complete Concussions there only needs to be ONE of the 22 known symptoms present! Be sure to get checked out by your healthcare professional if you have any symptoms.
Physical Symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Blurred vision or balance issues
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fatigue or trouble sleeping
Mental Symptoms:
- Feeling slow, foggy, or confused
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Drowsiness or feeling “off”
Emotional Symptoms:
- Irritability or mood swings
- Sadness or depression
- Anxiety or nervousness
Female Athletes & Concussions
Research has shown that female athletes are at higher risk for concussions. Female high school athletes are 1.56 times more likely to sustain a concussion than their male counterparts in the same sport (Schallmo et al., 2017). Girls’ soccer has the highest concussion rate of all high school sports. Studies suggest that in non-contact sports like hockey and lacrosse, female athletes experience concussion rates similar to males in full-contact versions of the sport (Cheng et al., 2019).
Concussions in Sports
Certain sports have a higher likelihood of concussions due to their physical nature. The top five sports responsible for concussions treated in emergency rooms are:
- Football (highest risk)
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Baseball/Softball
- Hockey
Return-to-Play Protocols
Recovering from a concussion requires a structured return-to-play process to ensure athlete safety. The CDC’s 6-Step Return to Play Progression provides a free resource outlining the safest way for athletes to return to their sport. Here’s an overview:
- Symptom-Limited Activity: Light activities that don’t worsen symptoms.
- Light Aerobic Exercise: Walking or stationary cycling with no resistance.
- Sport-Specific Exercise: Light drills without risk of head impact.
- Non-Contact Training Drills: More complex sport-specific drills and light strength training.
- Full-Contact Practice: Return to normal training with medical supervision.
- Return to Play: Full competition, only after clearance from a healthcare provider.
There are several additional concussion-specific protocols that healthcare providers use to provide further evaluation and safety measures. The Buffalo Treadmill Test is a leading assessment tool for blood flow regulation after a concussion.The Chicago Blackhawks Test assesses an athlete’s ability to handle physical and sport-specific challenges post-concussion. Heads Up Concussion Information from the CDC.gov offers extensive resources for athletes, coaches, and parents, focusing on concussion prevention, symptom recognition, and proper recovery protocols.
The Economic Impact of Concussions
Concussions not only affect athlete safety but also have a significant financial impact. With 3.8 million concussions annually, the estimated economic burden in the U.S. is around $60 billion per year, with an average cost of $15,789 per concussion (Complete Concussions).
Key Takeaways
Concussions are common in sports, especially among high school athletes. Female athletes are at higher risk, particularly in soccer. Recognizing symptoms early is crucial for proper recovery. Following return-to-play protocols ensures long-term athlete health and performance.
By increasing awareness, educating athletes, and following supervised concussion protocols, we can reduce the long-term impact of concussions and keep players safe in the game.
