Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
Abstract/Artist Statement
Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Collegiate Football Players Following Concussion
Context: Concussions are among the most common injuries in collegiate football, with the sport demonstrating one of the highest concussion incidence rates (6.71 per 10,000 athlete exposures). Following a concussion, athletes may experience lingering neurophysiological impairments that affect neuromuscular control, balance, postural stability, reaction time, and cognitive-motor integration. Although athletes may report symptom resolution, growing evidence suggests that these deficits can persist beyond clinical recovery. Such impairments may alter movement patterns and delay muscular responses, increasing the risk of subsequent musculoskeletal injury. Athletes with a history of concussion have been shown to demonstrate altered gait mechanics and decreased postural control, factors that may elevate injury risk, particularly in the lower extremities. Understanding the relationship between concussion and subsequent musculoskeletal injury is essential for improving post-concussion management and injury prevention strategies in collegiate football. Therefore, this review aims to synthesize current literature examining the association between concussion history and musculoskeletal injury risk in collegiate football players.
Methods: A PubMed search from October 2025 excluded pre-2015 articles. Using five search term combinations related to concussion, neuromuscular control, balance deficits, and injury risk, 105 articles were initially identified. After removing duplicates and irrelevant studies, 92 abstracts were screened, leading to 17 full-text reviews, with four meeting criteria. One additional article was found via references.
Results: Athletes with concussion history had higher rates of lower extremity injuries than non-concussed or differently injured athletes, especially within 90 days after returning to sport.
Conclusions: Collegiate football players with concussions face higher risk of lower extremity injuries after returning, even beyond symptom resolution. This highlights the need for better post-concussion rehab and return-to-play protocols.
Word Count: 279
Mentor Name
Valerie Moody
Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Collegiate Football Players Following Concussion
UC North Ballroom
Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Collegiate Football Players Following Concussion
Context: Concussions are among the most common injuries in collegiate football, with the sport demonstrating one of the highest concussion incidence rates (6.71 per 10,000 athlete exposures). Following a concussion, athletes may experience lingering neurophysiological impairments that affect neuromuscular control, balance, postural stability, reaction time, and cognitive-motor integration. Although athletes may report symptom resolution, growing evidence suggests that these deficits can persist beyond clinical recovery. Such impairments may alter movement patterns and delay muscular responses, increasing the risk of subsequent musculoskeletal injury. Athletes with a history of concussion have been shown to demonstrate altered gait mechanics and decreased postural control, factors that may elevate injury risk, particularly in the lower extremities. Understanding the relationship between concussion and subsequent musculoskeletal injury is essential for improving post-concussion management and injury prevention strategies in collegiate football. Therefore, this review aims to synthesize current literature examining the association between concussion history and musculoskeletal injury risk in collegiate football players.
Methods: A PubMed search from October 2025 excluded pre-2015 articles. Using five search term combinations related to concussion, neuromuscular control, balance deficits, and injury risk, 105 articles were initially identified. After removing duplicates and irrelevant studies, 92 abstracts were screened, leading to 17 full-text reviews, with four meeting criteria. One additional article was found via references.
Results: Athletes with concussion history had higher rates of lower extremity injuries than non-concussed or differently injured athletes, especially within 90 days after returning to sport.
Conclusions: Collegiate football players with concussions face higher risk of lower extremity injuries after returning, even beyond symptom resolution. This highlights the need for better post-concussion rehab and return-to-play protocols.
Word Count: 279