Poster Session #2: UC Ballroom
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Stuart Hall
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Psychology
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Objective: Approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States, and there was a four-fold increase in the number of sports-related concussions in high school athletes from 2000 to 2011.This study assessed the knowledge of coaches from rural (population < 10,000) and non-rural (population > 10,000) counties in Montana with regard to sports-related concussion management and return-to-play guidelines. It was hypothesized that there would be a higher amount of deficits in sports-related concussion management practices for youth sports in rural counties.
Participants and Methods: Individuals involved in overseeing youth sports (including coaches, assistant coaches, and athletic directors) were surveyed regarding sports-related concussion management and return-to-play guidelines. Of these participants, 48.1% were from rural counties and 51.9% were from non-rural counties. These data were collected prior to the first sports season in which the Dylan Steigers Protection of Youth Athletes Act became effective in Montana.
Results: Differences were apparent between rural and non-rural counties in all aspects of concussion management addressed in this survey. Significantly more respondents from non-rural counties indicated that their organizations have individuals trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. Additionally, significantly more respondents from non-rural counties reported that they have an individual specialized in recognition and treatment of concussions present during sporting events.
Conclusions: These findings highlight a significant discrepancy between concussion management practices in rural and non-rural counties in Montana. Montana was one of the last states in the nation to implement a law regarding concussion management in youth sports, and it is imperative that all counties within our state receive the education and resources necessary to protect youth athletes from the devastating consequences of poor concussion management. With these baseline findings, the overall effectiveness of concussion legislation to protect youth athletes in Montana can be monitored.
Category
Social Sciences
Sports-Related Concussion Management in Montana Youth: Rural vs. Non-Rural Settings
Objective: Approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States, and there was a four-fold increase in the number of sports-related concussions in high school athletes from 2000 to 2011.This study assessed the knowledge of coaches from rural (population < 10,000) and non-rural (population > 10,000) counties in Montana with regard to sports-related concussion management and return-to-play guidelines. It was hypothesized that there would be a higher amount of deficits in sports-related concussion management practices for youth sports in rural counties.
Participants and Methods: Individuals involved in overseeing youth sports (including coaches, assistant coaches, and athletic directors) were surveyed regarding sports-related concussion management and return-to-play guidelines. Of these participants, 48.1% were from rural counties and 51.9% were from non-rural counties. These data were collected prior to the first sports season in which the Dylan Steigers Protection of Youth Athletes Act became effective in Montana.
Results: Differences were apparent between rural and non-rural counties in all aspects of concussion management addressed in this survey. Significantly more respondents from non-rural counties indicated that their organizations have individuals trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. Additionally, significantly more respondents from non-rural counties reported that they have an individual specialized in recognition and treatment of concussions present during sporting events.
Conclusions: These findings highlight a significant discrepancy between concussion management practices in rural and non-rural counties in Montana. Montana was one of the last states in the nation to implement a law regarding concussion management in youth sports, and it is imperative that all counties within our state receive the education and resources necessary to protect youth athletes from the devastating consequences of poor concussion management. With these baseline findings, the overall effectiveness of concussion legislation to protect youth athletes in Montana can be monitored.