Citation

Liao S, Lynall RC, Mihalik JP. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2016; 48(7): 1239-1243.

Affiliation

1Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; 2Curriculum in Human Movement Science, Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0000000000000896

PMID

26871990

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Scientists and clinicians have attempted to identify and understand biomechanical factors that influence concussion likelihood. The effect of impact frequency to a given head location prior to the concussion has not been evaluated. To compare the frequency of impacts to a given head location on days of diagnosed concussion to the frequency of impacts to a given head location prior to kinematically matched non-concussive impacts.

METHODS: Head impact data were gathered from 33 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association American football players. Twenty-four concussions were identified and matched with impacts of similar kinematic and injury criterion values (linear acceleration, rotational acceleration, Gadd Severity Index, Head Injury Criterion) that occurred during the same event type (game, practice, or scrimmage). Additionally, these same matching criteria were employed to match all players to the closest kinematic/same player group. All impacts within a session prior to the impact of interest (concussive or matched impact) were analyzed.

RESULTS: On days of diagnosed concussion, the concussive group sustained a lower percentage of impacts to the front of the head (34.5%) and a greater frequency of impacts to the sides (19.6%) and top (18.9%) of the head (χ(3)=10.23, P=0.017) as compared to the matched non-concussive group (front=42.5%, sides=16.6%, top=14.0%). No significant difference in frequency was found in impacts to the back of the head.

CONCLUSION: It may be more difficult to mitigate concussive forces sustained in impacts to the top and sides of the head than the front of the head. These findings fall in line with previous research demonstrating reduced impact magnitudes may lessen concussion risk. Studying appropriate training paradigms to develop safer playing techniques on the field are warranted.

Language: en