Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Following Concussion Recovery In High School Athletes

Context: Although an association between concussion and musculoskeletal injury has been described in collegiate and professional athletes, no researchers have investigated an association in younger athletes. Objective: To determine if concussion in high school athletes increased the risk for lower extremity musculoskeletal injury after return to activity. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: One hundred ninety-six high schools across 26 states. Patients or Other Participants: We used data from the National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network surveillance system. Athletic trainers provided information about sport-related concussions and musculoskeletal injuries in athletes in 27 sports, along with missed activity time due to these injuries. Main Outcome Measure(s): Three general estimating equations were modeled to predict the odds of sustaining (1) any lower extremity injury, (2) a time-loss lower extremity injury, or (3) a non–time-loss lower extremity injury after concussion. Predictors were the total number of previous injuries, number of previous concussions, number of previous lower extremity injuries, number of previous upper extremity injuries, and sport contact classification. Results: The initial dataset contained data from 18 216 athletes (females = 39%, n = 6887) and 46 217 injuries. Lower extremity injuries accounted for most injuries (56.3%), and concussions for 4.3% of total injuries. For every previous concussion, the odds of sustaining a subsequent time-loss lower extremity injury increased 34% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13, 1.60). The number of previous concussions had no effect on the odds of sustaining any subsequent lower extremity injury (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.89, 1.05) or a non–time-loss injury (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.92, 1.10). Conclusions: Among high school athletes, concussion increased the odds of sustaining subsequent time-loss lower extremity injuries but not non–time-loss injuries. By definition, time-loss injuries may be considered more severe than non–time-loss injuries. The exact mechanism underlying the increased risk of lower extremity injury after concussion remains elusive and should be further explored in future research.

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Sport Specialization, Club Sport Participation, Quality of Life, and Injury History Among High School Athletes

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-361-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (10) ◽

pp. 1061-1066 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katherine Dahab ◽

Morgan N. Potter ◽

Aaron Provance ◽

Jay Albright ◽

David R. Howell

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

High School ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

High School Athletes ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Club Sports ◽

Club Sport

Context Many factors can affect the injury risk and quality of life among high school athletes. Early sport specialization and club sport participation may be components to consider when assessing the injury risk and quality of life. Objective To investigate patient-reported quality-of-life and injury-history measures among adolescent athletes at different sport-specialization levels and to compare these measures between those who did and those who did not report participating in club sports. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting High school athletic facility. Patients or Other Participants High school student athletes 13 to 18 years of age were recruited and tested during their annual preseason athletic physical examinations. Main Outcome Measure(s) Our primary grouping variables were sport-specialization level (classified as low, moderate, or high) and club sport participation (organized sport outside of traditional school athletics). Our outcome variables were the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Pediatric Profile-37 rating, Severity Measure for Depression–Child score, and injury history. Results A total of 97 individuals participated (mean age = 15.2 ± 1.1 years; 38% female). Relatively similar proportions of individuals reported participating at each level of sport specialization (low = 34%, moderate = 40%, high = 26%). Forty-six (48%) participants stated they participated in club sports. No differences were evident in quality of life (P values = .15–.92 across domains), depression (P = .60), or injury history (P > .70) among the specialization groups. Those who described participating in club sports had a higher proportion of time-loss musculoskeletal injuries (63% versus 29%; P = .002) and of injuries requiring imaging, injection, a cast, a brace, or crutches (72% versus 46%; P = .013) than those who did not. Conclusions Although no injury-history differences were found among the sport-specialization groups, a higher proportion of club sport athletes than nonclub sport athletes reported a history of injury. Club sports are generally seen as more competitive, and the higher number of injuries seen in this setting could be related to a higher level of play among club sport athletes.

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Concussion Recovery Timeline of High School Athletes Using A Stepwise Return-to-Play Protocol: Age and Sex Effects

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-452-18 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 6-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kaori Tamura ◽

Troy Furutani ◽

Ross Oshiro ◽

Yukiya Oba ◽

Ayaka Ling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Student Athletes ◽

Return To Play ◽

Return To School ◽

High School Athletes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adolescent Population ◽

Management Protocol ◽

Concussion Recovery ◽

Age And Sex

Context Implementation of a stepwise return-to-play (RTP) protocol has become the standard management strategy for high school athletes to ensure a safe RTP after concussion. The detailed characteristics of the recovery timeline throughout the steps of an RTP protocol have not been delineated among the adolescent population. Objective To investigate the days spent in each step of the stepwise RTP protocol in an adolescent population and examine the effects of age and sex on recovery time. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Local schools. Patients or Other Participants Student-athletes from 57 schools. Intervention(s) A total of 726 patients with concussion (age = 15.5 ± 1.2 years, males = 454, females = 272) were included. The 7-step RTP protocol consists of the following steps: (1) complete cognitive rest, (2) full return to school, (3) light exercise, (4) running progression, (5) noncontact training drills and weight training, (6) full-contact practice or training, and (7) return to game play. The data were obtained by certified athletic trainers as a part of the statewide standardized concussion-management protocol. Main Outcome Measure(s) Days spent in steps 0 to 6 as well as a breakdown of days by sex and age. Results The average total RTP days were 20.2 ± 13.9. Half of this time was spent in the return-to-school phase (steps 2–3: 10.2 ± 10.0 days). Compared with 17-year-old participants, younger participants (age = 14–16 years) took 3 or 4 days longer to start step 3 and to reach step 6 (P < .05). Females took longer to reach step 6 than males (21.6 ± 15.5 versus 19.3 ± 12.7 days) because they took longer to reach step 3 (14.7 ± 11.4 days) than males (13.0 ± 10.0 days; P < .05). Conclusions Our study provides an estimated stepwise concussion recovery timeline for adolescent student-athletes. Clearance to start step 3 was the benchmark for the recovery timeline, as the duration of the exercise portion of the protocol was consistent across the age and sex groups.

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