Citation

Walker J, Marigi EM, Dancy M, Okoroha KR, Kharrazi FD, Mehran N. Orthop. J. Sports Med. 2022; 10(7): e23259671221105257.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/23259671221105257

PMID

35898206

PMCID

PMC9310240

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The extent to which concussions affect Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) athletes has not been thoroughly examined.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and impact of concussion injuries occurring in the WNBA. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study.

METHODS: Publicly available records were searched to identify all documented basketball-related concussions from WNBA seasons 1997 to 2020. Player demographics, injury details, and basketball career information were collected. Concussion incidence and return-to-play (RTP) timing were evaluated before and after the institution of the WNBA concussion protocol in 2012. Minutes per game and game score per minute were compared 5 games before and 5 games after the concussion was sustained. Player game availability and RTP performance were also compared with an age-, body mass index-, position-, and experience-matched control group of players who did not sustain any injuries during the index season.

RESULTS: A total of 70 concussions among 55 players were reported in the WNBA from 1997 to 2020, with a mean incidence of 2.9 ± 2.3 concussions per season. After the implementation of the WNBA concussion protocol, the incidence significantly increased from 1.7 to 5.0 concussions per season (P <.001). All players returned after a first-time concussion, missing a mean of 3.8 ± 4.7 games and 17.9 ± 20.7 days. After the adoption of the concussion protocol, the time to RTP significantly increased with games missed (P =.006) and days missed (P =.006). Minutes per game and game score per minute were not significantly affected by sustaining a concussion (P =.451 and P =.826, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Since the adoption of the WNBA concussion protocol in the 2012 season, the incidence of concussions increased significantly. Athletes retained a high rate of RTP after missing a median of 4 games, and the time to RTP increased after the institution of the concussion protocol. Player game availability and performance within the same season were not significantly affected by concussion injuries after a successful RTP.

Language: en

Keywords

concussion; return to sport; basketball; performance; Women’s National Basketball Association