Incidence of Concussion Rising in Young Women 

A new study, presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), shows that sports-related head injuries among young women (age 14 -18 years) has more than doubled. Young women athletes had concussion rates nearly twice as high as their men athletes when participating in comparable sports and were more likely to sustain recurrent concussions, experience atypical symptoms, and require longer recovery times.

The national weighted estimate women in this age group going to emergency departments (EDs) with sports-related concussions (SRCs) or closed head injuries (CHIs) increased significantly between the years 2000 (9,835 cases) and 2019 (31,751 cases). The annual average of SRCs and CHIs presenting to EDs occurred in this patient cohort was 39.1%. Over one quarter (26.2%) of these injuries occurred in teenage patients, typically age 15 years. The 5 sports and recreational activities most commonly associated with SRCs and CHIs were basketball (18.5%), cheerleading (10.4%), soccer (20.6%), softball (10.1%), and volleyball (6.5%).

Although there was a direct correlation between increased participation in sports and concussion rates, this did not account for all of the observed increase in incidence. not account for all of the increase. In softball, cheerleading, and basketball, for example, increased head injuries were not strongly correlated with increased participation.

"While concussions can be classified as an epidemic, it's important to consider that 96.7% of patients who were admitted to the emergency department with an SRC or CHI were treated and went home," said Dr. Pirruccio. "Sustaining a concussion shouldn't necessarily preclude our youth from participating in the sports and physical activities they love. Instead, we hope this study encourages mindfulness among athletes, coaches, and parents and stimulates the adoption of comprehensive return to play protocols to prevent further harm. This is especially important with non-school sanctioned sports and activities, which may lack a dictated return-to-play guideline."