Definition of “Sport-related concussion”
Dictionary of sport psychology: Sport, exercise, and performing arts
Cite as:
Caron, J. G. (2019). Sport-related concussions. In D. Hackfort, R.J. Schinke, & Bernd Strauss (Eds.), Dictionary of sport psychology: Sport, exercise, and performing arts (pp. 286-287). London, UK: Academic Press.
Sport-Related Concussions (SRC)
SRCs were first discussed in the medical literature in the early 1900s, and research has grown in breadth and depth since then. Children and adolescents experience more concussions than adults, and the incidence of SRCs is highest in sports such as rugby, football, hockey, rugby, and soccer (Pfister, Pfister, Hagel, Ghali, & Ronksley, 2016). Although the majority of research has centred on the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of SRCs (McCrory et al., 2017), researchers have also investigated
psychosocial aspects of injury and recovery (Bloom, Horton, McCrory, & Johnston, 2004; Kontos, Collins, & Russo, 2004; Mainwaring et al., 2004).
For example, concussed athletes reported significantly more symptoms of depression, confusion, and total mood disturbance when compared to uninjured teammates and undergraduate students (Mainwaring et al., 2004). Additionally, social support groups have helped to diminish feelings of isolation among concussed athletes (Bloom et al., 2004). Since research on psychosocial aspects of SRCs emerged in the early 2000s, there has been growing interest on the topic and can be evidenced in the form of publications (e.g., Caron, Bloom, Johnston, & Sabiston, 2013) and special issues in peer-reviewed journals in sport psychology (e.g., Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology and Sport, Exercise, and
Performance Psychology).
Theories have recently been used to study topics such as concussion-reporting behaviours (i.e., theory of planned behavior) and concussion education efforts (i.e., social norms theory). Only one model has been developed specifically to conceptualize psychological aspects of concussions (Wiese-Bjornstal, White, Russell, & Smith, 2015). Specifically, Wiese-Bjornstal et al. (2015) conceptualized the types of psychological, psychiatric, and psychosocial factors that can influence athletes’ responses and recoveries from the injury. The model was adapted from the Integrated Model of Psychological Response to Sport Injury (see definition of injury).
From a practical standpoint, Kontos et al. (2004) noted that sport psychology specialists could help manage psychological issues associated with return to play following SRC (e.g., fear of injury, confidence, anxiety), and that they could assist with prevention efforts by educating members of the sport environment about the injury and recovery process. Since then, however, the field of sport psychology has yet to profoundly impact the management and prevention of SRCs. Moving forward, it is hoped that sport psychology specialists can play a greater role with SRCs—particularly with respect to prevention, given they routinely conduct educational interventions with individuals and teams on a variety of topics, including psychosocial aspects of injury recovery.
References
Bloom, G. A., Horton, A. S., McCrory, P., & Johnston, K. M. (2004). Sport psychology and concussion: New impacts to explore. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38, 519–521.
doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.011999
Caron, J. G., Bloom, G. A., Johnston, K. M, & Sabiston, C. M. (2013). Effects of multiple concussions on retired National Hockey League players. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 35, 168–79. Kontos, A. P., Collins, M., & Russo, S. A. (2004). An introduction to sports concussion for the sport
psychology consultant. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 16, 220–235. doi: 10.1080/10413200490485568
Mainwaring, L. M., Bisschop, S. M., Green, R. E. A., Antoniazzi, M., Comper, P., Kristman, V.,
Provvidenza, C., & Richards, D. W. (2004). Emotional reaction of varsity athletes to sport-related concussion. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 26, 119-135.
McCrory, P., Meeuwisse, W., Dvorak, J., Aubry, M., Bailes, J., Broglio, S., ... & Vos, P. E. (2017). Consensus statement on concussion in sport—the 5th international conference on
concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016. Advance Online Publication. British Journal of Sports Medicine. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097699
Pfister, T., Pfister, K., Hagel, B., Ghali, W. A., & Ronksley, P. E. (2016). The incidence of concussion in youth sports: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50, 292-297. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094978
Wiese-Bjornstal, D. M., White, A. C., Russell, H. C., & Smith, A. M. (2015). Psychology of sport concussions. Kinesiology Review, 4, 169-189. doi:10.1123/kr.2015-0012
