Concussion Rates Research Articles

The epidemiology of head injuries at 2019 Rugby Union World Cup

ABSTRACT Introduction The sequelae of concussion are of growing concern within Rugby. World Rugby has introduced rule changes to improve player welfare and reduce head injury frequency. We aimed to report the incidence of head injuries and head injury assessment (HIA) at the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Methods We reviewed all 45 tournament matches and recorded the number of head injuries, the injured player’s position, and the mechanism of injury; whether the player had an HIA; and if they returned to play following injury. We compared these findings with previous RWCs. Results We recorded 68 head injuries (1.33/game). Thirty-six players (52.9%) were removed from the field of play for an HIA. Of these, 23 (63.9%) failed and therefore considered to have concussion. The head injury rate in 2019 was 37.8 per 1000 player hours, which increased from previous tournaments (22.0 in 2015, 14.6 in 2011, and 4.7 in 2007). The concussion rate was 23 per 1000 player hours in 2019, which was lower than 29 in 2015. In 2019, 63.9% of HIAs were failed compared to 48.7% in 2015. We identified 17 cases where medical staff did not attend to a player suffering a head injury on-field. Of these, four players underwent an HIA after the match doctor reviewed the incident. Conclusion We recorded a higher rate of head injuries, and a player was more likely to fail their HIA than in previous tournaments. These findings may represent a greater awareness from medical staff and the benefits of education. However, 25% of head injuries not receiving an initial on-field assessment provide room for improvement.

Possible Concussions Related to a Direct Head Kick Among College Taekwondo Athletes

PURPOSE: Executing a head kick (HK) in sparring-taekwondo (S-TKD) is a common, legal move and is promoted by competition rules by awarding higher points. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of HKs and concussions and to analyze the possible related risk factors.METHODS: A prospective design was utilized. A total of 327 athletes participated in this tournament with 311 matches held in 2019 in South Korea. HK recipients were interviewed immediately after the match. HK and concussion rates were correlated and risk factors associated with concussions were analyzed using the binary logistic analysis. Also, descriptive statistics were reported.RESULTS: Of the 167 HK recipients that were identified using our criteria, only 109 participated in the study. Overall, the incidence of HKs was 175 and 35 for concussions per 1,000 athlete exposures. Logistic analysis showed that concussions were associated with competitors who did not recognize an HK and did not use blocking maneuvers as a result (OR, 5.96; 95% CI, 1.61-21.98, p<.05).CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HKs and concussions is high in S-TKD competitions. Of 109 college taekwondo athletes who received an HK during this tournament, 20% developed a concussion. Greater promotion of blocking maneuvers may decrease concussions resulting from HKs.

Neck strength and concussion prevalence in football and rugby athletes

ObjectivesTo determine the maximal isometric neck strength of male and female rugby and football (soccer) athletes, and to investigate the relationship between neck strength and sport played, sex, age, anthropometric measurements and concussion history. DesignCross-sectional observational study. MethodsIn total, 358 (70% male) healthy football and rugby playing adolescents and adults participated. Isometric neck strength and anthropometry measurements were collected, as well as completion of a sociodemographic survey. The mean (standard deviation) of all measurements for each age group was calculated and compared between sports and sexes, with correlation analyses performed to determine associations between all variables. ResultsIn general, rugby athletes had stronger neck musculature compared to football athletes, and males had stronger neck musculature compared to age-matched females, with these strength differences becoming increasingly significant with age (p < 0.05). The athletes with stronger neck muscles were older, taller, heavier, had higher bilateral grip strength and larger neck girth compared to those with weaker neck muscles (p < 0.05). Male rugby athletes who self-reported higher rates of a previous concussion had lower neck flexor/extensor strength ratio (p < 0.01). In 11–12-year-old male footballers, increased heading was associated with increased self-reported previous concussion (p < 0.01). ConclusionsThese normative neck strength data can form important reference values for rugby and football athletes from adolescence into adulthood. Male rugby athletes with a previous history of concussion demonstrated strength imbalances of their neck musculature (lower flexor/extensor ratio), with this finding having potentially important implications for training protocols and injury prevention initiatives.

Prevalence of Concussions and Chronic Headaches in Female Collegiate Athletes

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses concussion rates and current headaches in female soccer versus non-contact sport athletes who have progressed to higher levels of competition in college. METHODS: Soccer and non-contact sport female athletes from four universities completed questionnaires on concussion history and current headaches. RESULTS: Soccer athletes had a significantly higher rate of concussions compared to non-contact athletes (50% versus 9%, p&lt;0.0001), but there was not a significant difference in current headaches between the two groups (20% soccer; 32% non-contact). Among soccer athletes, 56% of goalkeepers, defenders, and forwards collectively reported a concussion, while only 23% of midfielders reported a concussion (p=0.03). Rates of reported headaches were significantly higher in soccer athletes with &lt;15 years of experience (38% versus 11%, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Collegiate female soccer athletes had a higher rate of concussions versus non-contact-sport athletes, but no difference in rate of current headaches existed. Soccer athletes with &lt;15 years of experience reported higher rates of headaches.

Poor cervical proprioception as a risk factor for concussion in professional male rugby union players

BackgroundConcussion is one of the most common injuries in male professional Rugby Union (‘rugby’) and accounts for significant time loss from training and competition. Despite the most recent Concussion in Sport Group consensus statement recommending a focus on the identification of modifiable risk factors, limited evidence for their existence is available. ObjectiveTo investigate the association between cervical proprioception and concussion incidence in a group of professional male rugby players over the course of a full season. Methods165 players were assessed at pre-, mid- and end of season time points using the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPET). Associations with diagnosed concussion injuries are presented as incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We present the Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) for a 10% increase in each variable and compared results against concussion using match minutes to account for risk exposure. ResultsDuring the study period, 45 concussions were incurred by 44 players [or 19.7 concussions per 1000 player-match hours]. There was a significant association between right rotation repositioning error and concussion, with a 5% increase in concussion rate for each 10% increase in gross right rotation error (P = 0.021). ConclusionPoor gross right rotation repositioning error is a modifiable intrinsic risk factor for concussion in professional male rugby players. Interventions to improve proprioceptive function may act as an effective method for reducing concussion incidence in this population.

Characterizing Health Events and Return to Sport in Collegiate Swimmers.

Background:There is limited literature characterizing the incidence, variety, and effects of injuries and illnesses observed in elite swimmers.Purpose:To describe the epidemiology of injuries and illnesses affecting elite intercollegiate competitive swimmers.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:This retrospective study utilized a deidentified injury and illness database of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I swimmers in the Pacific Coast Conference from the academic years 2016 to 2017 and 2019 to 2020. A health event was defined as an illness or musculoskeletal injury that was identified by an athletic trainer or team physician. Musculoskeletal injuries and nonmusculoskeletal injuries and illnesses were stratified by body location. Injuries were further characterized as career-ending, season-ending, missed time but the athlete returned to sport in the same season, or those that did not cause missed time. Relative risk (RR) was used to compare the percentage of athletes affected between women and men, with statistical significance being defined by a 95% CI not including 1.Results:Included were 641 collegiate swimmers (301 male, 340 female). There were 1030 health events among 277 women and 173 men, with 635 (61.7%) occurring in women and 395 (38.3%) in men. There were 540 musculoskeletal injuries reported, most of which involved the shoulder (n = 126; 23.3%), spine (n = 95; 17.6%), foot/ankle/lower leg (n = 81; 15.0%), knee/thigh (n = 67; 12.4%), and hand/wrist/forearm (n = 52; 9.6%). A total of 490 nonmusculoskeletal health events were reported and included events such as respiratory tract infections (n = 119; 24.3%), unspecified medical illness (n = 93; 19.0%), concussions (n = 58; 11.8%), ear infections (n = 25; 5.1%), and gastrointestinal illnesses (n = 24; 4.9%). Compared with male swimmers, female swimmers were at a higher risk of sustaining both musculoskeletal injury (RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.22-1.83) and nonmusculoskeletal injury/illness (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.68). There were 58 documented concussions, with 8 (13.8%) being season-ending, but not career-ending and 14 (24.1%) being career-ending. Women had a higher rate of concussion (9.1% vs 4.3% for men; RR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.13-3.96).Conclusion:This retrospective study identified the most common injuries and illnesses observed among elite collegiate swimmers. Awareness of the incidence and outcome of injuries and illnesses that affect competitive swimmers may allow for more targeted analyses and injury prevention strategies.

Concussions and Injuries in Sledge Hockey: Grassroots to Elite Participation.

To examine injury (including concussion) rates, location, type, mechanisms, and risk factors in sledge hockey players. Cross-sectional survey. Sledge hockey players, worldwide, across all levels of play. Sledge hockey players (ages ≥14 years) who played in the 2019 to 2020 season were recruited through email, social media, and word of mouth communication. Participant characteristics (eg, age, sex, disability) were examined as potential injury risk factors. Injury rates (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) examining potential risk factors were reported based on univariate Poisson regression analyses. Injury proportions by type, location, and mechanism were described. Ninety-two players initiated the survey, and 77 (83.7%) provided some injury information. Forty-seven injuries included 16 concussions in 9 of 77 players (11.7%) and 31 non-concussion injuries in 20 of 77 players (26.0%) were reported. The overall IR was 13.2 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures [95% confidence interval (CI); 9.6-17.6]. The game IR (28.4 injuries/1000 game-exposures, 95% CI; 18.6-41.7) was higher than practice IR (4.4 injuries/1000 practice-exposures, 95% CI; 2.2-7.9) (IRR = 6.5, 95% CI; 3.1-14.5). The most common injury locations were the head (34.0%), wrist/hand (14.8%), and shoulder (10.6%). The most common significant injury types were concussion (36.2%) and bone fracture (8.5%). Body checking was the primary mechanism for injuries caused by contact with another player (42.1%) Age, sex, disability, and level of play were not found as injury risk factors. Concussions and upper extremity injuries were the most common sledge hockey injuries reported, with body checking being the most common mechanism. This research will inform development of prevention strategies in sledge hockey.

Poor isometric neck extension strength as a risk factor for concussion in male professional Rugby Union players

BackgroundConcussion is one of the highest burden injuries within professional Rugby Union (‘rugby’) and comes with a high health and financial cost to players and teams. Limited evidence exists as...

Avenues for Sport-Related Concussion Prevention in High School Football: Effect of Limiting Collision Practices.

Football continues to demonstrate the highest rate of sport-related concussion (SRC) in high school athletics. To mitigate the SRC risk, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) implemented rules aimed at reducing the number of collisions occurring in practices. To estimate the rates of SRC in MHSAA football programs and evaluate progressive limitations to collision practices over 5 consecutive seasons. Retrospective cohort study. Michigan high school football. High school (9th-12th grade) football athletes (>99% male) participating in MHSAA-sanctioned events. Designated administrators at each school recorded the total number of participating athletes and SRCs (defined as head injuries resulting from athletic participation that required the student-athletes to be withheld from activity after exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with an SRC) in the MHSAA injury-surveillance system each season (2015-2016 through 2019-2020). Progressive limitations to collision practices occurred across the study period. We estimated athlete-exposures (AEs) as the total number of players multiplied by the total number of possible practices (11 weeks, 4 days each) or competitions (9 weeks, 1 day each) during each season. Incidence rates and rate ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were used to compare practice and competition SRCs and each season with the most recent season. A total of 7755 football SRCs were diagnosed across the 5-year period. The overall SRC rate was 8.03 per 10 000 AEs (95% CI = 7.85, 8.21). The competition SRC rate (30.13/10 000 AEs) was higher than the practice rate (3.51/10 000 AEs; RR = 8.58; 95% CI = 8.19, 9.00). The practice SRC rate was lower in 2017-2018 (RR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.77, 0.97), 2018-2019 (RR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.79, 1.0), and 2019-2020 (RR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.74, 0.94) relative to 2015-2016. We found that the progressive limitations to collision practices were protective against SRCs, as the rate of SRC was lower in the 3 most recent seasons relative to 2015-2016.

No association found between body checking experience and injury or concussion rates in adolescent ice hockey players

ObjectivesTo compare rates of injury and concussion among U-15 (ages 13–14 years) ice hockey players playing in leagues allowing body checking, but who have a varying number of years of...

Same-Year Repeat Concussions in the National Football League: Trends from 2015 Through 2019

Sport-related concussion (SRC) prevention and management is a focus of the National Football League (NFL). While most prior reports evaluated sport-related concussion incidence, few have studied same-year repeat concussions. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of same-year repeat concussions in the NFL. A retrospective, observational cohort study of same-year repeat concussions in the NFL from 2015 to 2019 was performed. The NFL's electronic health record was reviewed for players sustaining concussions and same-year repeat concussions. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to calculate same-year repeat concussion rates, and risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using log-binomial regression. From 2015 to 2019, the risk of sustaining a same-year repeat concussion in the NFL was 0.38%-0.69% per season. Among players who sustained a concussion, the risk of a same-year repeat concussion was 5.3%-8.3%, which did not differ significantly from the risk of sustaining a single concussion (6.2%-8.3%). There was a median of 38 participation days between initial and same-year repeat concussion. Players missed more time from same-year repeat concussions (median 12 days) compared with both single (median 9 days; P < 0.0001) and initial (median 9.5 days; P= 0.002) concussions. The risk of a repeat concussion was similar to the risk of sustaining a single concussion among NFL players. More time was missed following a same-year repeat concussion compared with single or initial concussions. Further research is needed to maximize player safety and minimize same-year repeat concussions.

Risk of Concussion After a Targeting Foul in Collegiate American Football.

Background:The targeting rule was adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2008 to discourage dangerous contact during collegiate American football competition. Although targeting rules have been emphasized as a means to reduce concussion rates, there is currently no evidence that targeting plays are higher risk for concussion than other plays in American football.Purpose:To compare the rate of concussion occurring during targeting versus nontargeting plays in American collegiate football.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:Concussions occurring in games in the 2016-2019 Pac-12 Conference were classified as having occurred during either (1) a play where a targeting penalty was called or (2) all other plays. Targeting plays were further categorized to either those in which the call was upheld or those overturned by the on-field official after replay review. The number of targeting plays and the total number of plays during games were also recorded. Concussion incidence (per 1000 plays) and risk ratios were calculated.Results:Overall, 538 games with 68,670 plays were reviewed, during which 213 concussions occurred (15 during plays where targeting was called and 198 on other plays) and 141 targeting penalties were called. The incidence of concussion was 106.4/1000 plays for targeting plays (including 141.2/1000 upheld targeting fouls and 53.6/1000 overturned targeting fouls) and 2.9/1000 plays for nontargeting plays. The risk of concussion during targeting plays was 36.9 (95% CI, 22.4-60.7) times greater than that for all other plays. The risk of concussion during targeting plays upheld was 49.0 (95% CI, 28.5-84.2) times greater than that for all other plays.Conclusion:Concussion risk was significantly higher during plays in which targeting was called, especially those in which targeting fouls were upheld.Clinical Relevance:This study supports eliminating or reducing targeting from American football. The results of this study suggest that players should be screened for concussion after targeting plays are called.

High Injury and Concussion Rates in Female Youth Team Sport: An Opportunity for Prevention.

The aim of this study was to investigate sport-related injury rates, types, locations, and mechanisms in female youth team sports. This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. An anonymous online survey was administered to high school students (ages 14-19) in Alberta, Canada. The survey included questions regarding demographic information, sport participation and self-reported injuries sustained in the past year. Results were analyzed for girls who reported playing a top ten team sports for female participation. For girls participating in team sports, the overall injury rate was 55.5 injuries/100 participants/year. The rate of at least one concussion was 9.4 concussions/100 participants/year. Injury and concussion rates were highest in ringette (Injury rate=42.9 injuries/100 participants/year, Concussion rate=19.0 concussions/100 participants/year) and rugby (Injury rate=40.0, Concussion rate=15.3). The top three most serious injury locations were the knee (24.7%), ankle (21.6%) and head (16.1%). The most common injury types were joint/ligament sprain (26.71%), fracture (13.0%) and concussion (11.8%). Contact mechanisms accounted for 73.4% of all serious injuries reported in girls team sports. Team sport injury rates are high in female youth team sports. Specific consideration of sport-specific injury rates, types and mechanisms in girls' team sports will inform development and evaluation of targeted sport-specific prevention strategies.

Descriptive epidemiology of injuries in Japanese collegiate men\u2019s basketball: 2013/2014 to 2019/2020

BackgroundBasketball is one of the most played sports in the world. However, only a few studies have examined the epidemiology of Japanese collegiate men’s basketball injuries. This study investigated the incidence of injury among Japanese collegiate men’s basketball from the 2013/2014 to the 2019/2020 seasons and identified unique patterns by comparing our data with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball data.MethodsData from Japanese collegiate basketball teams of the Kanto Collegiate Basketball Federation Division I League during the 2013/2014 to 2019/2020 academic years (23 team-seasons) were used in this study. Injury rates per 1000 athlete exposures (AEs), injury proportions, and the injury rate ratio (IRR) were calculated according to the events, injury types, body parts, and common injury mechanisms. Injury rates were then compared with that from the time-loss injury data of the NCAA’s previous reports.ResultsIn total, 480 injuries during 97,515 AEs were reported, leading to an injury rate of 4.92 per 1000 AEs (95% CI = 4.48–5.36). The overall injury rate was higher in Japan than in the NCAA ([2009/2010–2014/2015] IRR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.39–1.73; [2014/2015–2018/2019] IRR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.48–1.82). Lower extremity injuries occurred most frequently (73.5%). Ankle sprain was the most common injury in Japan, with higher injury rates than in the NCAA (IRR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.72–2.57). The injury rate of concussion was lower in Japan than in the NCAA (IRR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.14–0.55).ConclusionsThe rates of overall injury and ankle sprain were higher and that of concussion was lower in Japan than in the NCAA. These results suggested the existence of international differences in the pattern or features of injuries in basketball players.

Head Games: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Examining Concussion and Head Impact Incidence Rates, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies in Youth Tackle Football.

The aims were to (1) examine the rates and mechanisms of concussion and head impact in youth football (high school level or younger); (2) identify modifiable risk factors for concussion and head impact; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies in tackle football at any level. Nine databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; EMBASE; ERIC; Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database; PsycINFO; Scopus; and SPORTDiscus with Full Text) were searched using the search strategy focusing on four main concepts: concussion/head impact, tackle football, modifiable risk factors, and primary prevention. Two reviewers completed title, abstract, and full-text screening as well as risk of bias assessment (using the Downs and Black checklist), with a third author available to resolve any disagreements. After removing duplicates, 1911 articles were returned. Fifty-eight articles were included in the review and 20 in the meta-analysis. The overall combined rates of concussion (including game and practice-related concussion) based on the meta-analysis were 0.78 concussions/1000 athlete exposures [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.89] for high school football (ages 13-19) and 1.15 concussions/1000 athlete exposures (95% CI 0.89-1.41) for minor football players (ages 5-15). There is evidence that contact training and practice contact restrictions have reduced the rate of head impacts and concussion. Heads Up Football (an intervention focused on coach education and contact training) has been shown to reduce the rate of concussion by 32% and head impacts by 38% amongst high school football players. Limiting contact practices in high schools to 2days per week reduced practice head impacts per player-season by 42%, and limiting full contact in practice to 75min per week in the second week of the season and 60min in week 3 and beyond resulted in a 54% decrease in the practice-related concussion rate (p = 0.003). This review identified a critical need for interventions to address the high rates of concussion and head impact in youth football. To date, contact training and contact restrictions have the strongest evidence supporting their effectiveness at reducing these rates. Future research should use consistent concussion definitions and validated injury surveillance systems, and ensure complete reporting of participant characteristics and sampling details. Prospero ID CRD42020193775.

Thinking Otherwise: Bringing Young People into Pediatric Concussion Clinical and Research Practice

AbstractBackground:As rates of pediatric concussion have steadily risen, and concerns regarding its consequences have emerged, pediatric concussion has received increased attention in research and clinical spheres. Accordingly, there has been a commitment to determine how best to prevent and manage this injury that so commonly affects young people. Despite this increased attention, and proliferation of research, pediatric concussion as a concept has rarely, if ever, been taken up and questioned. That is, little attention has been directed toward understanding what concussion ‘is’, or how young people are regarded in relation to it. As a result, pediatric concussion is understood in decidedly narrow terms, constructed as such by a biomedical way of knowing.Aim:We aim to demonstrate how conceptualizing concussion, and young people, ‘otherwise’, enabled the co-production of a more nuanced and complex understanding of the experience of pediatric concussion from the perspective of young people.Approach:Drawing on an illustrative case example from a critical qualitative arts-based study, we demonstrate how bringing young people into research as ‘knowers’ enabled us to generate much-needed knowledge about concussion in young people.Implications:The critical thinking put forward in this paper suggests a different approach to pediatric concussion, which is shared in the form of implications for clinical and research practice.

The rugby tug-of-war: Exploring concussion-related behavioural intentions and behaviours in youth community rugby union in New Zealand

Rugby union is a popular team sport, with a high rate of concussions. In adolescents, concussions are further complicated by issues of under-reporting. To encourage more responsible concussion behaviours, it is imperative to understand the factors that influence youth players’ behaviours, including the attitudes and behaviours of their coaches and parents. The aim of this study was to explore concussion-related behavioural intentions and behaviours that may influence effective concussion management across a youth rugby system. The study adopted a pragmatic, descriptive qualitative design and included high schools from four youth rugby catchment areas in New Zealand. Nineteen focus groups and 2 individual interviews were conducted with n = 75 players, n = 22 parents, and n = 8 coaches (N = 105) during the 2018 rugby season. A thematic analysis was conducted, guided by a system’s approach and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The themes generated reflected a ‘tug-of war’ between various behavioural intentions and reported behaviours present in a youth rugby system. Additionally, the behavioural intentions and reported behaviours of coaches, parents, players and their teammates are intricately linked and collectively influence effective concussion management. Being aware of concussions and caring about their management and consequences was a strong theme present across the system. However, these favourable attitudes and behaviours were countered by players, parents and coaches disregarding the system, downplaying the seriousness of concussion, being competitive and driven to win, regardless of the risks. In players the warrior mentality theme, which included bravado, being tough, and playing through the pain further complicated effective concussion management. The findings suggest that there is not always a strong, favourable network in place that would facilitate similarly favourable concussion-related behaviours. To effect change, a system-wide approach, that takes the unique needs of each stakeholder into account and ultimately aims to reconcile performance and brotherhood with positive concussion related behaviours, is needed.

Injuries and Concussions in Female High School Rugby: Prevention is Worth a Try.

To describe injury and concussion rates and mechanisms in female high school rugby players. Two-year prospective cohort study. High school rugby. Participants included 214 female High school rugby players (year 1) and 207 female High school players (year 2) from the Calgary Senior High School Athletics Association 2018 and 2019 rugby competition. None. Match and training injury and concussion. Injury definition included any injury resulting in time loss, inability to complete a session, and/or requiring medical attention. Details of reported injuries were collected on injury report forms and validated by a certified athletic therapist on a validated online injury surveillance platform. Exposure hours for players were tracked using paper or virtual weekly exposure forms by team designates. A match incidence rate (IR) = 93.7 injuries/1000 match hours (95% confidence intervals (CI): 78.6-11.7) and training IR = 5.3 injuries/1000 training hours (95% CI: 4.0-6.9) were estimated. The tackle accounted for 109 (70%) match and 37 (44%) training injuries. Tackling was the most frequent mechanism of injury (IR = 37.5 injuries/1000 match hours, 95% CI: 27.5-51.8 and 1.2 injuries/1000 training hours, 95% CI: 0.7-2.4). Sixty-two match concussions (IR = 37.5 concussions/1000 match hours, 95% CI: 26.8-52.3) and 16 training concussions (IR = 1.0 concussions/1000 training hours, 95% CI: 0.7-1.4) occurred. Of 78 reported concussions, 78% for match and 56% for training were physician diagnosed. Tackling was the most frequent mechanism of concussion in matches (IR = 18.1 concussions/1000 match hours, 95% CI:11.4-28.6). Injury and concussion rates in female high school rugby are high. The tackle accounted for the highest proportion of injuries. Prevention strategies (eg, tackle policy change, tackle-training programs, and neuromuscular training) should be explored to increase sport safety.

손목 스포츠-테이핑 처치가 넘어짐에 의한 스노보드 참가자의 뇌진탕 및 근·골격계 손상 발생률에 미치는 효과

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to find the effect of self-taping on falling-related concussions and acute musculoskeletal injuries among college student snowboarders, and analyze the possible risk factors surrounding concussion frequency.<BR> Method: A total of 77 college students participated in the experimental study (experimental group: 33 persons & 25-years and control group: 45 persons & 24-years). The groups were randomized and assigned before the study began. A simple check-off self-injury report form was utilized. All row data were collected from the 18/19 to 19/20 seasons at ski resorts in South Korea. For data analysis, descriptive, inferential statistics, χ2-test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression were performed using SPSS 26.0 at α< .05.<BR> Results: Overall, 70 persons (91%) had experienced severe falling off more than once while snowboarding. Among these snowboarders, 45 (54%) experienced concussions. The two groups did not show a significant difference in the incidence rate of concussion p(>.05). However, the male novice level showed a bit higher rate of concussion compared to the intermediate level. In addition, the injury rates of musculoskeletal injury showed significant differences between the groups and body parts (wrist joint, shoulder joint, back, and quadriceps muscles) (p<.05). Moreover, the binary logistic regression showed that there was a significant difference between the concussion rate and the snowboarder skill levels (p<.05).<BR> Conclusion: The frequency of falling off and falling-related concussions was high during snowboarding for our participants. The study did fail to find any significant differences in the taping effect on the concussion rate between the groups. However, our study found that the risk of concussion rate was increased depending on the novice level by 2.88 compared to the intermediate level. An application of self-sports taping may have beneficial effects on the decreasing frequency of concussions depending on the snowboard skill levels and of injuries among upper extremities. More research on the effect of injury reduction and application of self-sports taping in this sport is required.

Characterization of head impact exposure in boys’ youth ice hockey

ABSTRACT Ice hockey has one of the highest concussion rates among youth sports. Sensor technology has been implemented in contact and collision sports to inform the frequency and severity of head impacts experienced on-ice. However, existing studies have utilized helmet-mounted sensors with limited accuracy. The objective of this study was to characterize head kinematics of contact events in a sample of youth boys’ hockey players using a validated instrumented mouthpiece with improved accuracy. Head kinematics from 892 video-verified events were recorded from 18 athletes across 127 sessions. Median peak resultant linear acceleration, rotational velocity, and rotational acceleration of video-verified events were 7.4 g, 7.7 rad/s, and 576 rad/s2, respectively. Contact events occurred at a higher rate in games (2.48 per game) than practices (1.30 per practice). Scenarios involving head contact had higher peak kinematics than those without head contact. This study improves our understanding of head kinematics in boys’ youth hockey.