History, Knowledge, and Education of Sport-Related Concussion Among College Athletes in Japan

Abstract

Context Few authors have investigated sport-related concussion (SRC) awareness and knowledge among athletes in Japan. Sport-related concussion research is scarce among Asian compared with North American and European cohorts. Objective To examine previous SRC history, level of SRC knowledge, and previous exposure to SRC education among collegiate athletes in Japan by the level of contact and access to medical staff. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Single-university study in Japan. Patients or Other Participants A total of 2103 athletes (48 varsity teams) were contacted to participate in an anonymous survey. Data from athletes with (1) SRC history in the past 3 months, (2) persistent SRC symptoms, (3) nontraditional sports, or (4) incomplete surveys were excluded. As a result, data from 593 athletes representing 43 varsity teams were included in this analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s) Outcome measures were level of contact (contact [CON], limited contact [LTD], noncontact [NC]), access to medical staff (MEDYES, MEDNO), SRC knowledge (maximum score of 49), previous SRC history (self-report; yes, no), and previous SRC education (self-report; yes, no). Results The average SRC knowledge total score was 33.4 ± 6.1 (range, 18–48). The knowledge score in CON was higher than in LTD and NC (P < .001) and in MEDYES than MEDNO (median, MEDYES = 34.0, MEDNO = 32.0; U = 27 841.5, P < .001). Sport-related concussion history was statistically different by the level of contact ( = 27.95, P < .001) and by access to medical staff ( = 4.5, P = .034). The presence of an SRC history and previous SRC education contributed to higher SRC knowledge, independent of the level of contact and access to medical staff (P < .001). Conclusions Japanese athletes who participated in CON sports had a higher prevalence of SRC history, higher knowledge, and greater exposure to SRC education than those in LTD or NC sports. Access to medical staff was associated with higher SRC knowledge.