@article{ref1,
title="Concussions in the Women's National Basketball Association: analysis of incidence, return-to-play timing, and player performance from 1997 to 2020",
journal="Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine",
year="2022",
author="Walker, Jasmine and Marigi, Erick M. and Dancy, Malik and Okoroha, Kelechi R. and Kharrazi, F. Daniel and Mehran, Nima",
volume="10",
number="7",
pages="e23259671221105257-e23259671221105257",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The extent to which concussions affect Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) athletes has not been thoroughly examined. <br><br>PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and impact of concussion injuries occurring in the WNBA. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. <br><br>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. <br><br>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). <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2325-9671",
doi="10.1177/23259671221105257",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23259671221105257"
}