Examination of sports and recreation-related concussion among youth ages 12–17: results from the 2018 YouthStyles survey

ABSTRACT

Background: This paper sought to examine the frequency of self-reported sports- and recreation-related (SRR) concussion, as well as care-seeking behaviors and potential activity restrictions after concussions, in a sample of youth.

Methods: A sample of 845 youth ages 12–17 years responded to the web-based YouthStyles survey in 2018. The survey measured the frequency of self-reported lifetime SRR concussion, the setting of their most recent SRR concussion, whether a doctor or nurse evaluated them, and the types of activity restrictions they experienced.

Results: Forty-three percent of youth surveyed sustained their most recent concussion while playing on a sports team, 21.1% while playing on a community-based team, and 36.0% while engaged in a sport or recreational activity. Nearly half (45.3%) reported having to miss playing sports or participating in physical activity for at least one day; about two in ten (19.7%) reported having to miss time on their phone or computer for at least one day.

Conclusion: Despite wide-spread efforts to promote protocols for SRR concussion among youth, a third of participants in this study did not seek medical care and more than half did not miss at least one day of sports or physical activity participation following a concussion.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion
• sport
• recreation
• youth
• team

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for development of this manuscript.