A new paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine entitled “Prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for concussion: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the Female, woman and girl Athlete Injury prevention (FAIR) consensus” takes a broad look at how sport-related concussions (SRC) in female athletes, a population that has often been overlooked in concussion research, can be reduced. The authors reviewed 108 studies that explored either prevention strategies or “modifiable risk factors,” meaning elements of training, equipment, or environment, that could influence concussion risk. Of these, 67 studies examined prevention measures such as protective gear, rule changes, and coaching programs, while 41 assessed possible risk factors.
We were thrilled to see this paper published, and the focus it brings to female athletes.
Key Findings:
- Headgear use in adolescent girls and women playing lacrosse or soccer was linked to about a 30% reduction in concussion rates.
- Protective eyewear did not show any measurable benefit in reducing sport-related concussion.
- Playing surface (artificial turf vs. grass) showed no consistent difference in concussion risk.
These findings highlight some promising news, i.e., that headgear works, but also that more research is needed. Concussion symptoms and recovery can differ by gender, and without rigorous studies on young girls and women, prevention programs may fall short. This review is part of the FAIR (Female, woman and girl Athlete Injury prevention) initiative, which aims to close that gap.
EyeBOX can help diagnose concussions in females and males. EyeBOX is a 4-minute, non-invasive tool that measures eye-tracking responses to detect subtle changes in brain function after a head injury. Because eye characteristics are age and gender related, EyeBOX metrics are age and gender “normalized” – which means the patient is compared to the normal population for their age and gender. This way the physician has a more complete picture of what this patient should look like without injury.
Female athletes show differences in recovery rates, potentially due to differences in neck strength as shown in a 2022 study in the European Journal of Sports Science, but also due to differences in how they are treated in the healthcare system, as shown in a 2021 study in published in the Journal of Neurosurgery. More resources for women and girls with concussion are available by the advocacy group, Pink Concussions. You can also read our 2023 interview with Pink Concussions Director, Katherine Snedaker.