Women in university hockey demonstrate knowledge discordant with attitudes regarding concussions

Abstract

Objective To examine the knowledge and attitudes about sport-related concussion among university athletes. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Validated survey instrument. Subjects Seventy-two university soccer, hockey, and basketball athletes (28 males, 44 females). Main outcome measures Total athlete knowledge scores and attitude scores were measured and average scores were also determined for each sport, sex, and combinations of sport and sex. Results The average athlete knowledge total score was 28.9 ± 2.8 ( SD) out of a possible 35, and the average attitude total score was 76.4 ± 11.8 ( SD) out of a possible 98. Correlations between athlete knowledge scores and athlete attitude scores were positive in the all male athlete sample ( r = 0.09, n = 28, p = .65). The same correlation in the all female athlete sample was negative ( r = −.33, n = 44, p < .05). Sixteen athletes suffered a total of 21 concussions in the 2015–2016 playing season. Conclusions The present sample of university athletes have higher knowledge scores but poorer attitude about concussions. Knowledge regarding concussion did not translate into improved attitudes particularly for female hockey athletes. Coaches should consider concussion education focused on communicating facts, as well as contextual interventions and practical athlete responses to injury. Interventions should consider the differences between male and female athlete reporting tendencies in this demographic. Appropriate detection and reporting systems may help to overcome poor reporting behaviors.