Citation

Rosenthal JA, Foraker RE, Collins CL, Comstock RD. Am. J. Sports Med. 2014; 42(7): 1710-1715.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0363546514530091

PMID

24739186

Abstract

BACKGROUND:High school athletes are at risk for concussions. Although a previously published study showed an increase in concussion rates for a single school district, it remains unknown if the rate of concussions among high school athletes is increasing nationally.

PURPOSE:To investigate national high school athlete concussion rates over time. STUDY DESIGN:Descriptive epidemiologic study.

METHODS:The rate of concussions per 1000 athlete-exposures was calculated for academic years 2005-2006 through 2011-2012 using the High School Reporting Information Online sports injury surveillance system.

RESULTS:During the 7-year period of this study, High School Reporting Information Online captured 4024 concussions with overall concussion diagnosis rates increasing significantly from 0.23 to 0.51 (P =.004). Concussion diagnosis rates increased for each of the 9 sports studied, with 5 sports having statistically significant increases over this 7-year period.

CONCLUSION:The study analysis indicates that national concussion diagnosis rates for high school sports have increased significantly over time.

Language: en