@article{ref1,
title="Soccer-related concussions among Swedish elite soccer players: a descriptive study of 1,030 players",
journal="Frontiers in neurology",
year="2020",
author="Hänni, Sofie and Vedung, Fredrik and Tegner, Yelverton and Marklund, Niklas and Johansson, Jakob",
volume="11",
number="",
pages="e510800-e510800",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: There are growing concerns about the short- and long-term consequences of sports-related concussion, which account for about 5-9% of all sports injuries. We hypothesized there may be sex differences in concussion history and concussion-related symptoms, evaluated among elite soccer players in Sweden. <br><br>DESIGN: Retrospective survey study. Participants and Setting: Soccer players (n = 1,030) from 55 Swedish elite soccer teams. Questionnaires were completed prior to the start of the 2017 season. Assessment of Risk Factors: Player history of soccer-related concussion (SoRC), symptoms and management following a SoRC were evaluated. Main Outcome Measures: Before the start of the season the players completed a baseline questionnaire assessing previous concussions. The Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 3 was included with regard to symptom evaluation. <br><br>RESULTS: Out of 993 responding players 334 (34.6%) reported a previous SoRC and 103 players (10.4%) reported a SoRC during the past year. After sustaining a SoRC, 114 players (34.2%) reported that they continued their ongoing activity without a period of rest, more commonly female (44.9%) than male players (27.7%; P = 0.002). Symptom resolution time was 1 week or less for 61.3% of the players that reported having persisting symptoms. A positive correlation was observed between number of previous concussions and prevalence of three persisting symptoms: fatigue (P < 0.001), concentration/memory issues (P = 0.002) and headache (P = 0.047). <br><br>CONCLUSION: About 35% of male and female elite soccer players in Sweden have experienced a previous SoRC, and about 10% experienced a SoRC during the last year. Female players continued to play after a SoRC, without a period of rest, more often than males. A higher risk of persisting symptoms was observed in players with a history of multiple concussions.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1664-2295",
doi="10.3389/fneur.2020.510800",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.510800"
}