The incidence and burden of concussion in men’s and women’s English professional football
A summary of the research:
The study explores the incidence and burden of concussions in elite English football, comparing both men's and women's international and domestic levels. Between 2012 and 2022, data from 327 concussion injuries were analyzed. It was found that concussions represented a higher percentage of all injuries in women's international (7%) and domestic football (5%) compared to men's international (3%) and domestic football (2%). The incidence of concussion in matches was significantly higher than in training across both genders, with the impact being more pronounced in women's football. The burden, measured by days lost due to concussions, was also higher for women than men, and notably, international competition involved a higher burden than domestic play.
The findings also revealed that concussions occurred more frequently in women's international training than in domestic settings, with the burden being significantly greater at the international level. When comparing the sexes, women had a notably higher incidence and burden of concussion injuries, especially in training. These differences are thought to be linked to factors such as physical strength, hormonal differences, and greater reporting of symptoms in women. The study highlights the importance of focusing on match-specific and gender-related factors in developing concussion prevention strategies and provides a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of future interventions.
Key Takeaways:
Focus on Match Conditions – Since concussions are more common during matches than training, particularly in women's football, it is crucial to implement prevention strategies targeted at match-specific activities, such as contact drills and headers.
Gender-Specific Concussion Strategies – Women experience a higher incidence and burden of concussions compared to men. Coaching staff and administrators should ensure that women’s teams are provided with specialized concussion education, prevention protocols, and return-to-play policies that take into account the higher rates of injury.
Emphasize Concussion Education in International Settings – With the increased burden of concussions in international football, both for men and women, there should be a stronger focus on concussion education and management at the international level. Ensuring standardized concussion protocols and better awareness in these high-profile competitions will be key to player safety
Authors: Bradley Sprouse, John Morris, Simon Cooper, Charlotte Cowie, Steve Kemp, Pippa Bennett, Ian Varley
You can read the entire article here.
