How much longer do athletes take to recover if they play with a concussion?

Question

Accepted Answer

Athletes Taking Longer to Recover When Playing Through Concussions

Athletes who continue to play after sustaining a concussion take approximately twice as long to recover compared to those who are immediately removed from play. This extended recovery period can significantly impact their ability to return to their sport.
Extended Recovery Time for Athletes Continuing Play

Those who continued to play with a concussion required an average of 44 days to be cleared for a return to their sport. In contrast, athletes who were removed from play immediately after injury recovered and returned to their sport in an average of 22 days. This suggests that continuing athletic activity with a suspected concussion can lead to a significantly prolonged recovery timeline.
Increased Likelihood of Protracted Recovery

Athletes who played through a concussion were found to be nearly nine times more likely to experience a protracted recovery period, defined as more than 21 days. This observation highlights a strong correlation between delayed removal from play and a more complex or longer-lasting recovery process.
Potential for Worsened Injury and Symptoms

Continuing to play with a concussion may not only extend the time needed for recovery but also potentially worsen the initial injury. The study indicated that athletes who continued playing also reported more severe neurocognitive symptoms and a greater number of symptoms overall compared to those who were immediately taken out of the game. This suggests a potential link between continued exertion and a more severe post-concussion state.
Study Demographics and Methodology

The research involved 95 athletes between the ages of 12 and 19 who sought medical attention for a sport-related concussion. These athletes participated in sports such as football, hockey, volleyball, or basketball. They reported their injury details and removal from play status, and underwent neurocognitive testing at intervals of one to seven days and again eight to 30 days after their injury to monitor their recovery progress.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How much longer do athletes take to recover if they play with a concussion?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends