AUTHOR=Hänni Sofie , Vedung Fredrik , Tegner Yelverton , Marklund Niklas , Johansson Jakob 

TITLE=Soccer-Related Concussions Among Swedish Elite Soccer Players: A Descriptive Study of 1,030 Players

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.510800

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2020.510800

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> There are growing concerns about the short- and long-term consequences of sports-related concussion, which account for about 5–9% of all sports injuries. We hypothesized there may be sex differences in concussion history and concussion-related symptoms, evaluated among elite soccer players in Sweden.</p><p><bold>Design:</bold> Retrospective survey study.</p><p><bold>Participants and Setting:</bold> Soccer players (<italic>n</italic> = 1,030) from 55 Swedish elite soccer teams. Questionnaires were completed prior to the start of the 2017 season.</p><p><bold>Assessment of Risk Factors:</bold> Player history of soccer-related concussion (SoRC), symptoms and management following a SoRC were evaluated.</p><p><bold>Main Outcome Measures:</bold> Before the start of the season the players completed a baseline questionnaire assessing previous concussions. The Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 3 was included with regard to symptom evaluation.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Out of 993 responding players 334 (34.6%) reported a previous SoRC and 103 players (10.4%) reported a SoRC during the past year. After sustaining a SoRC, 114 players (34.2%) reported that they continued their ongoing activity without a period of rest, more commonly female (44.9%) than male players (27.7%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.002). Symptom resolution time was 1 week or less for 61.3% of the players that reported having persisting symptoms. A positive correlation was observed between number of previous concussions and prevalence of three persisting symptoms: fatigue (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001), concentration/memory issues (<italic>P</italic> = 0.002) and headache (<italic>P</italic> = 0.047).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> About 35% of male and female elite soccer players in Sweden have experienced a previous SoRC, and about 10% experienced a SoRC during the last year. Female players continued to play after a SoRC, without a period of rest, more often than males. A higher risk of persisting symptoms was observed in players with a history of multiple concussions.</p>