Citation

Helmich I, von Götz D, Emsermann C, Xuanjin F, Griese A, Lauterbach I, Lausberg H. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness 2019; 59(3): 496-501.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry, Institute of Health Promotion and Clinical Movement Science, German Sport University Cologne (GSU), Köln, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Edizioni Minerva Medica)

DOI

10.23736/S0022-4707.18.08329-9

PMID

29619800

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although sports-related concussions (SRCs) / mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in contact sports have recently received much attention, investigation of SRCs in cycling - a sport yielding some of the highest percentages of SRC - remains strikingly limited. In particular, rates of incidence, cycling-specific causes, and potential long-term effects of SRC have not been examined in this sport. Here, a retrospective online survey was used to investigate the incidence and potential long-term effects of SRCs among cyclists.

METHODS: A cycling-specific questionnaire was developed and administered to 2792 cyclists via an online survey. First, participants were asked about their acute symptomatology, and secondly, cycling-specific items and concussion history were addressed.

RESULTS: Of the 999 cyclists whom completed the questionnaire, 23.8% had experienced a concussion. Incidence of concussion was significantly higher in cyclists who were club members, who cycled more than 200 kilometers per week, and who wore a helmet. Cyclists with a history of concussion complained significantly more often about headaches, pressure in the head, sensitivity to light, confusion, and irritability.

CONCLUSIONS: Concussions in cycling are a serious injury with a high incidence relative to other sports. Although wearing a helmet reduces the risk of severe brain injury, interesting, the present results show a relation between helmet use, participation in cycling clubs, and increased concussion incidence. These data are in line with the growing number of findings showing that athletes with a history of concussion report more symptoms.

Language: en