THE INCIDENCE OF CONCUSSION IN COLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

889 Concussions occur commonly during football participation and can produce a variety of symptoms. Many players, coaches and medical personnel are not fully aware of the actual symptoms that can be associated with a concussion. This has led many to suspect that the incidence of concussions in football players has been underestimated. This study was done to more precisely define the actual incidence of football - related concussions. A survey was conducted among 279 football players from 6 Division III college football teams during the 1997 season. The survey revealed that 230 players (or 82%) reported they had previously suffered symptoms consistent with a grade I concussion during their football career. 93% of these 230 players reported having recurrent symptoms of grade I concussion. 86 players (or 31%) reported previous symptoms of grade II concussion, while 28 players (or 10%) previously had symptoms of grade III concussion. When asked specifically about their last game, 37 players (13%) reported they had grade I symptoms; 4 players (1%) had grade II symptoms; and no players reported grade III concussion symptoms. Of the 41 players (15%) reporting concussion symptoms in their last game, only 6 informed their coach, trainer or team physician of these symptoms, and 4 were removed from the game. Only 85 (30%) of the players surveyed, said they had previously been diagnosed with a concussion related to football. This data confirms that the incidence of concussion among college football players is greatly underestimated. More research is needed to assess the significance of these more mild concussive injuries that are so frequently seen.