Unreported Concussion in High School Football Players

TLDR

Unreported concussions raise the risk of cumulative or catastrophic injury in athletes. The study aimed to determine the true frequency of unreported concussions among high‑school football players and to recommend education‑based prevention strategies. Researchers conducted a retrospective confidential survey of 1,532 varsity football players from 20 Milwaukee schools, collecting data on prior and current concussions, reporting status, reporting recipients, and reasons for non‑reporting. Among respondents, 15.3% sustained a concussion during the season, only 47.3% reported it—most to an athletic trainer—and the most common reasons for non‑reporting were perceived lack of seriousness, fear of missing play, and lack of awareness, indicating a higher concussion prevalence than previously reported.

Abstract

Objective To investigate the frequency of unreported concussion and estimate more accurately the overall rate of concussion in high school football players. Design Retrospective, confidential survey completed by all subjects at the end of the football season. Setting and Participants A total of 1,532 varsity football players from 20 high schools in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area were surveyed. Main Outcome Measurements The structured survey assessed (1) number of concussions before the current season, (2) number of concussions sustained during the current season, (3) whether concussion during the current season was reported, (4) to whom concussion was reported, and (5) reasons for not reporting concussion. Results Of respondents, 29.9% reported a previous history of concussion, and 15.3% reported sustaining a concussion during the current football season; of those, 47.3% reported their injury. Concussions were reported most frequently to a certified athletic trainer (76.7% of reported injuries). The most common reasons for concussion not being reported included a player not thinking the injury was serious enough to warrant medical attention (66.4% of unreported injuries), motivation not to be withheld from competition (41.0%), and lack of awareness of probable concussion (36.1%). Conclusions These findings reflect a higher prevalence of concussion in high school football players than previously reported in the literature. The ultimate concern associated with unreported concussion is an athlete’s increased risk of cumulative or catastrophic effects from recurrent injury. Future prevention initiatives should focus on education to improve athlete awareness of the signs of concussion and potential risks of unreported injury.