It is estimated that as many as 3.8 million concussions occur in the USA per year during competitive sports and recreational activities; however, as many as 50% of the concussions may go unreported.1
Sports and recreation-related concussions are a leading cause of TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits among children and teens.2
Children and teens make up approxiamately 70% of all sports- and recreation-related concussion seen in the emergency department.2
Children have the highest rate of emergency department visits for traumatic brain (TBI) injury of all age groups.2
In what sports are concussions most often reported?
Concussions occur in all sports with the highest incidence in football, hockey, rugby, soccer and basketball. 1
The largest number of sports and recreation related TBIs among males occurred during bicycling, football, and basketball.1
Among females, the largest number of sports and recreation related TBIs occurred during bicycling, playground activities, and horseback riding.1
Among all sex, grade, and racial/ethnic subgroups, the odds of reporting a concussion increased significantly with the number of sports teams on which students played.8
How many athletes are sustaining multiple concussions?
15% of students (approximately 2.5 million) reported having at least one concussion during the 12 months.10
6% (1 million) reported two or more concussions.10
69% of athletes with a possible concussion played with concussion symptoms.9
40% of those athletes said their coach was not aware they had a possible concussion.9
