Sport level and sex differences in sport-related concussion among Japanese collegiate athletes:Epidemiology,knowledge,reporting behaviors,and reported symptoms

This study investigated the incidence of sport-related concussion(SRC)in sports,effect of athlete knowledge on reporting behavior differences between collegiate and non-collegiate athletes,and differences in SRC symptoms between sexes and level of participation.In this cross-sectional survey,1344 Japanese collegiate and non-collegiate athletes from a single institute were analyzed.Using a web-based survey,demographics,general SRC,knowledge of SRC,the most recent SRC reporting behaviors,and symptom presentation were examined.The prevalence of SRC during the academic year 2016-2017 was 2.68(95%confidence interval[CI]:1.88-3.69)across all sports.The prevalence of SRC was 33.3(95%CI:17.96-51.83)in rugby union and 8.33(95%CI:1.03-27.00)in women's soccer.The prevalence of SRC in males(3.47[95%CI:2.38-4.86]was 3.65 times higher than that in females(0.95[95%CI:0.26-2.41]).In total,the mean total score of knowledge was 5.30(4.2)across 25 questions;dizziness was the most well-known symptom(867/1344,64.5%),followed by headache(59.3%).Being more emotional(44/1345,3.3%)was the least frequently known symptom.Level of participation did not affect scores(5.16[3.96]vs.5.52[4.54];p=0.131).All 87 disclosing participants experienced drowsiness and irritability and felt more emotional.In terms of sex and participant level,no significant differences were found in any symptoms.This study found very low rates of concussion education in Japan.Dissemination of concussion education is essential in the future to recognize concussion earlier and prevent severe concussive injury.

Injuries and illness of athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic summer games visiting outside facilities

This study aimed to identify the reasons for transferring athletes to local medical facilities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.Data on 567 injuries and other illnesses of athletes treated at the on-site clinics were collected from the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee.Of these,84 athletes who required outpatient care during the Games were registered for this survey.During the Olympic and Paralympic Games,66(8.3/1000)and 18(7.2/1000)athletes,respectively,consulted external medical facilities.In the Olympic Games,the reasons for these visits included 48 cases(72.7%)of injuries,13(19.7%)cases of illnesses,and 5(7.6%)cases of heat stroke illness(HSI).Of these patients,56(84.9%)were treated as outpatients and 10(15.1%)were hospitalized,while three of these patients required hospitalization for>7 days.On the other hand,in the Paralympics Games,there were 7(38.8%)cases of injuries,9(50.0%)other illnesses,1(5.6%)case of HSI,and 1(5.6%)other cases,of which 11(61.1%)were treated as outpatients and 7(38.9%)were hospitalized,but none was hospitalized for>7 days.Injuries accounted for 70%of the total cases at the 2021 Olympic Games,but only three(0.05%)were severe cases that required hospitalization for more than 1 week.In contrast,in the Paralympic Games,other illnesses accounted for approximately half of the total cases.This study provides details on the extent of injuries and other illnesses that were transferred to outside facilities,which has not been documented in previous games.