A new study out of the Medical College of Wisconsin suggests that collectively, we’re doing a better job of treating and managing concussions in high school athletes than we were just a few decades ago.

The study in question examined whether today’s athletes achieved what’s called a symptom-free waiting period (SFWP) before returning to sport after suffering a sport-related concussion (SRC). Previous studies suggested that a good portion of athletes were still experiencing minor symptoms when they returned to athletic activities following a concussion.

For their study, the team of researchers extracted data from a larger prospective study of athletes who suffered sport-related concussions in southeastern Wisconsin between 2012 and 2014. 143 athletes were diagnosed with a concussion during that time period, and their recovery and return to sport was closely monitored by researchers.

Concussion Study Results

After looking at the data researchers uncovered:

• 99.3 percent of athletes in the current study reached a SFWP before returning to sport, and the mean self-reported symptom duration was 6.1 days.
• 72.7 percent of athletes reported that their concussion symptoms resolved within a week of injury, 93.7 percent said they resolved within 2 weeks, and 99.3 percent said they resolved within 30 days of initial injury.
• 3.8 percent of athletes suffered a subsequent concussion after returning to sport, ranging from 8 to 42 days after initial injury.

The study results take on more weight when we compare them to similar data harvested in 1999. Compared to that study, athletes these days are more likely to wait until symptoms fully resolve before returning to sport (99.3 percent vs. 60.3 percent in 1999) and they remained on the sidelines for nearly twice as long as athletes did in 1999 (12.3 days vs. 7.4 days).

First author Adam Pfaller said the study supported the hypothesis of improved adherence to clinical management guidelines through increased utilization of SFWPs after SRC.

“It is a good sign that symptom free waiting periods are more commonly utilized now, and it’s allowing athletes to be outside the 7-10 day window of cerebral vulnerability prior to returning to athletic activity,” said Pfaller. “Athletes are on average being held out 5 days longer than they were 10-15 years ago.”

He also commended school medical staffs for taking an active role in treating and managing concussions in young athletes.

“Trainers are doing a good job taking care of high school and collegiate athletes,” Pfaller concluded.