Sport-Related Concussion: Knowledge and Reporting Behaviors Among Collegiate Club-Sport Athletes

Abstract

Context:: Previous literature on sport-related concussion (SRC) knowledge and reporting behaviors has been limited to high school and National Collegiate Athletic Association collegiate athletes; however, knowledge regarding collegiate club-sport athletes is limited.

Objective:: To determine the level of SRC knowledge and reporting behaviors among collegiate club-sport athletes and to investigate differences between athletes in traditional and nontraditional sports.

Design:: Cross-sectional study.

Setting:: Survey.

Patients or other participants:: A total of 410 athletes (247 males, 163 females) involved in traditional (n = 244) or nontraditional (n = 165) collegiate club sports.

Main outcome measure(s):: The survey consisted of demographics, recognition of SRC signs and symptoms, general SRC knowledge, and reasons why athletes would not report SRCs. The independent variable was sport type. Sport-related concussion signs and symptoms and general knowledge were assessed by the frequency of correct answers to SRC signs and symptoms and general knowledge questions. Sport-related concussion-reporting behavior frequencies were evaluated by asking participants to indicate reasons why they did not or would not report an SRC.

Results:: The SRC signs and symptoms knowledge score was 23.01 ± 3.19 and general SRC knowledge score was 36.49 ± 4.16 (maximal score = 43). No differences were present for SRC signs and symptoms knowledge ( F_1,408 = 1.99, P = .16) or general SRC knowledge ( F_1,408 = 3.28, P = .07) between athletes in traditional and nontraditional collegiate club sports. The most common reason for not reporting an SRC was not recognizing it as a serious injury (n = 165, 40.3%). Chi-square tests demonstrated significant relationships between sport type and 5 reasons for not reporting an SRC.

Conclusions:: The participants displayed moderate to high levels of knowledge of SRCs but indicated they had failed to or would fail to report SRCs for a variety of reasons. The lack of sports medicine coverage and disconnect between knowledge and injury recognition may make collegiate club-sport athletes more likely to participate while concussed.

Keywords: injury nondisclosure; physical activity; traumatic brain injuries; university.