
Feature Story
December 2017
Study: Laws Reduce Recurrent Concussions
By Deborah L. Vence
New research, published in the American Journal of Public Health in October, shows that traumatic brain injury (TBI) laws are helpful in reducing the rate of recurrent concussions in high school athletes.
The study—from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital and done together with researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado and Temple University—looked at the trends of new and recurrent sport-related concussions among high school athletes before and after traumatic brain injury (TBI) laws were implemented and how effective they've been.
The study showed that while the rates of new and recurrent concussions initially increase after a law goes into effect, the recurrent concussion rate showed a significant decline 2.6 years after the laws went into effect. Researchers suggested that the decline could be attributed to the removal and return-to-play requirements, indicating that the TBI laws might have an effect on reducing negative public health outcomes.
The concern about concussions among high school athletes has grown over the years, with a push for more oversight on how such injuries should be dealt with.
Between 2009 and 2014, the 50 states and the District of Columbia enacted one or more traumatic brain injury (TBI) laws to address sport-related concussions. The laws often include mandates to remove athletes from play following an actual or suspected concussion, requirements to be cleared to return to play, and annual education of coaches, parents, and/or athletes regarding concussion signs or symptoms, according to information from an October press release on www.nationwidechildrens.org.
The study took a look at TBIs in high school athletes who competed in at least one of nine sports (boys' football, boys' wrestling, girls' volleyball, boys' and girls' soccer, boys' and girls' basketball, boys' baseball and girls' softball) from the fall of 2005 through spring 2016. During this time period, an estimated 2.7 million concussions were reported in these nine sports, or about 671 concussions per day, or about one every two minutes, according to the press release. Of the reported concussions, about 89 percent were new and 11 percent were recurrent (a repeat concussion in an athlete that has already had at least one other concussion).
Concussions were found to be more frequent among male athletes, in football and during competitions. Football had the highest average annual concussion rate, followed by girls' soccer and boys' wrestling. Males had a higher average annual concussion rate than females. When comparing the rates in gender-comparable sports (basketball, soccer, baseball/softball), however, females had almost double the annual rate of concussions as males.
Recent Rec Report Feature Stories
Grants Awarded for Urban Water & Wildlife Habitat Restoration - December 2017
APSP University Launches New Certification Course - November 2017
New Series Aims to Empower Students With Healthy Habits - November 2017
US Club Soccer Puts Focus on Player Safety - November 2017
New Initiative Aims to Ensure All Have Access to Parks & Rec - November 2017
L.A. Parks Earn Mostly Positive Report Card - October 2017
Health Club Memberships Up, Led by Youth & Older Adults - October 2017
Dallas Park Recognized With ASLA Award - October 2017
Adult Obesity Rates Leveling Off - October 2017
Improving Kids' Wellness—In the Classroom - October 2017
Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Development Continues - September 2017
Louisville Splash 'n' Dash 5K Raises $35,000+ for Norton Children's Hospital - September 2017
Philadelphia Eagles Go Green - September 2017
High School Sports Participation Up, Nearing 8 Million - September 2017
Inside South Side High School's Redevelopment - August 2017
New Health Research Conducted at Special Olympics - August 2017
Protect Players From Heat - August 2017
Tackling the Active Play Deficit - August 2017
Botanical Garden Partners With Businesses on Health - July 2017
Survey Examines Parents' View of Play - July 2017
Kids Swim Free in Tucson This Summer - July 2017
Building Communities to Encourage Physical Activity - June 2017
California Campus Converts Courts to Golf Practice Space - June 2017
Where Are the Nation's Top City Park Systems? - June 2017
KaBOOM! Brings Play to Military Kids - May 2017
USA Basketball Open Court Sessions Get Youths Into the Game - May 2017
Educators Push Legislators to Support Health & Physical Education Programs - May 2017
NFHS Revises Rules for Competitive Spirit Squads - May 2017
Pool & Spa Professionals Fight Immigration Restrictions - April 2017
Grants Available to Boost Dog Parks - April 2017
New Aquatic Management Program Aims to Improve Safety, Efficiency - April 2017
16 Cities Nationwide to Receive Park Improvement Funding - April 2017
Study Confirms: People Pee in Pools - March 2017
Volunteers Get Hands-On History Experience in Virginia - March 2017
Park Hop Inspires Park Usage - March 2017
National Health Campaign Reaches 228,000 Youth in Three Years - March 2017
Outdoor REC Act Signed Into Law - February 2017
Happy 125th B-Day B-Ball! - February 2017
Study Shows Majority—Even Athletes—Are 'Overfat' - February 2017
Gym-Goers Like YMCA Best; Planet Fitness Winning Market Share - February 2017
Georgia State Park Celebrates Its Dark Sky Status - January 2017
Texas Tech Focuses on Functional Fitness - January 2017
Preventing Pool Closings - January 2017
Majority of U.S. Households Visit Attractions - January 2017
City of Henderson Awarded for Water Safety Programs - December 2016
Grant Brings Outdoor Fitness Area to Park - December 2016
Alliance Recommends Actions to Improve Kids' Activity Stats - December 2016