Helena Frye
Concussions in basketball have not received as much media attention as in other sports like football, hockey, and soccer. However, they are a serious concern, and the lack of coverage does not mean they are not happening. Basketball is the second most common sport for concussions in schools, and the rates of concussions among high school and collegiate basketball players are high, with girls experiencing higher rates than boys. In the NBA, there has been an increase in the detection of concussions since the implementation of the NBA Concussion Protocol, with approximately 17 instances per season. Concussions can have serious and long-term effects on athletes' health and performance, and it is important to recognize and manage them properly.
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What You'll Learn
Concussion rates in basketball
Concussions in basketball have not been extensively studied or covered by the media, unlike in sports such as football, hockey, and soccer. However, this does not mean that they do not occur. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has implemented protocols to guide players' return to play after concussions.
The NBA Concussion Policy (NBACP), enacted before the 2011-2012 season, defines a concussion as a traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces. The policy is based on preseason education, annual baseline testing, acute evaluation and management, and a structured return-to-play (RTP) process. Under the protocol, any NBA player suspected of a concussion must leave the game and undergo a neurological evaluation by a medical professional.
According to a study published in The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine in 2019, there were 189 concussions reported to the NBA from 1999 to 2018, with an incidence rate of approximately 17 instances per season. The study also found that concussion reporting was significantly greater in high schools with full-time certified athletic trainers than in those without. This suggests that concussion diagnosis may be challenging without the proper resources and training.
At the high school level, basketball is the second most common sport for concussions, after football. Neural Effects analyzed data from the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study and found that among high school basketball players, girls had higher rates of concussions than boys. Boys had over 9,000 concussions, while girls experienced more than 17,000. Almost two-thirds of concussions in boys' basketball were caused by collisions between players, while nearly 30% of concussions in girls' basketball occurred while defending the ball.
In summary, while basketball concussions may not receive the same attention as those in other sports, they are a significant concern, especially at the high school level. The implementation of concussion policies and improved diagnosis and management protocols is essential to protect the health and well-being of basketball players at all levels.
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Gender differences in basketball concussions
While there is a general lack of research on gender differences in sports-related concussions, existing studies suggest that female athletes may be at a greater risk of concussions than males in sports with similar rules, such as basketball. This could be attributed to behavioural factors, as former male college athletes are over twice as likely not to report their symptoms as their female counterparts. Additionally, estrogen may also influence female recovery and injury rates.
Several studies have found that males have a higher absolute percentage of player contact concussions, whereas females have a higher rate of surface or ball contact concussion episodes. Furthermore, traumatic brain injury outcomes tend to be worse for females, and they exhibit different baseline and post-concussion outcomes on neuropsychological testing.
However, it is important to note that concussion diagnosis often relies on self-reporting, and there is no established biological marker or consistent set of symptoms. As a result, it is unclear whether the higher incidence of concussions among females is due to an actual difference in risk or influenced by a reporting bias. Females have been found to be more honest in reporting general injuries, which may contribute to the higher reported rates of concussions in this group.
In high school basketball, almost two-thirds of concussions among boys and half of concussions among girls result from collisions with other athletes. Additionally, girl high school basketball players have higher rates of concussions than boys, with boys experiencing over 9,000 concussions compared to more than 17,000 concussions among girls.
While the media has extensively covered concussions in sports like football, basketball concussions have received less attention. However, both the NBA and NCAA have implemented protocols to guide return-to-play decisions after concussions. The NBA concussion policy, enacted before the 2011-2012 season, defines a concussion as a traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces and outlines procedures for preseason education, annual baseline testing, acute evaluation, management, and a structured return-to-play process.
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Causes of basketball concussions
Concussions are a common occurrence in basketball, with the sport ranking second in terms of concussion rates among youth sports. Basketball concussions are caused by a variety of factors, including collisions with other players, the floor, or the ball. Here are some detailed causes of basketball concussions:
Collisions with Other Players
Collisions between athletes are a significant cause of concussions in basketball. This is especially true for girls, with almost half of concussions among girls who play high school basketball resulting from such collisions. For boys, the rate is slightly lower, with about two out of three concussions resulting from player collisions. These collisions can occur during defensive plays, when chasing a loose ball, or when setting hard screens and taking charges.
Falls and Whiplash
Hard falls and whiplash injuries are also serious concerns in basketball. When a player falls, they may hit their head on the ground or floor, leading to a concussion. The forceful rotation of the head and neck during a fall can also cause a concussion, even without direct impact.
Ball Impact
The ball itself can also be a cause of concussions in basketball. While it is less common than player-to-player collisions, being hit by the ball, especially when defending or chasing a loose ball, can result in a concussion.
Repetitive Head Impacts
Cumulative effects of repetitive head impacts, even if they do not result in a full-blown concussion, can also lead to mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs). These impacts can cause short-term memory loss and confusion. Young people, especially children and adolescents, are more susceptible to concussions from repetitive head impacts and may take longer to heal compared to adults.
Basketball concussions can have a range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. It is important for coaches, players, and parents to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions to ensure proper care and management.
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NBA concussion protocols
Concussions are a common occurrence in basketball, with around 17 instances per season in the NBA. The NBA has implemented concussion protocols to ensure the safety of its players and guide their return to play. These protocols are outlined in the league's concussion policy summary and include several comprehensive steps.
Firstly, a player suspected of having a concussion or exhibiting concussion symptoms will be removed from participation by a team physician or athletic trainer. This initial concussion evaluation takes place in a "quiet, distraction-free environment," and the player undergoes a neurological evaluation to confirm the diagnosis. The evaluating physician or athletic trainer will also review video footage to aid in their assessment.
If a concussion is not diagnosed after the initial evaluation, the player still undergoes serial evaluation and monitoring. The team's medical staff continues to monitor the player, and they undergo at least one more concussion evaluation before the team's next game or practice or within 24 hours, whichever comes first.
In the event of a confirmed concussion diagnosis, a physician must be involved in the management plan and confirm the diagnosis. A team medical staff member must inform the director of the NBA Concussion Program about the evaluation and its results within 24 hours of the injury. The player with a concussion is not permitted to begin the return-to-participation process until at least 24 hours after the injury. This process includes rest and limiting activities, gradually progressing to non-contact training drills. The NBA's concussion policy emphasizes that recovery time varies for each player and injury, and full recovery is essential before returning to play.
The NBA concussion policy also includes preseason education, annual baseline testing, and acute evaluation and management. The standardized use of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool allows for functional comparisons between baseline and post-injury status, aiding in diagnosis and management. Overall, the NBA's concussion protocols prioritize player safety, accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment to ensure the well-being of its athletes.
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Long-term effects of concussions
Concussions are a common occurrence in basketball, with body-to-body contact, hard falls, and whiplash injuries posing serious risks. While the short-term symptoms of concussions typically resolve within days, there is growing concern about their potential long-term effects, particularly in athletes who experience repeated concussions. This concern has led to increased media coverage and the implementation of concussion policies in major professional sports leagues, including the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The long-term effects of concussions can be debilitating and have been associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions. Research has shown that neurological damage accumulates with multiple knocks to the head, even those that do not exhibit immediate symptoms. Repeated concussions have been linked to an elevated risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Additionally, a survey of retired professional American footballers with a history of multiple concussions found they were three times more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression.
In basketball, the NBA has implemented protocols to guide players' return to play after concussions. Despite this, studies specifically evaluating concussions in NBA players are limited. A 2019 study reported 189 concussions in the NBA from 1999 to 2018, with an incidence rate of approximately 17 instances per season. Concussion reporting in high schools with full-time certified athletic trainers is significantly higher than in those without, emphasizing the importance of proper resources and training in concussion recognition and management.
The long-term effects of concussions can have serious implications for athletes' health and well-being. The accumulation of neurological damage from multiple concussions can lead to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases and mental health issues. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the prevention, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate management of concussions in basketball and other contact sports.
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