Similar Concussion Rates in Spring Football and Preseason: Findings From the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium

Abstract

Context: Increasing attention has been directed toward identifying aspects of football participation for targeted policy change that reduces the concussion risk. Prior researchers evaluated concussion risks during the preseason and regular seasons, leaving the spring season largely unexplored. Design: In this nationally representative observational investigation of 19 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate football programs, we assessed concussion rates and head impact exposures during the preseason, regular season, and spring practices from 2014 to 2019. All participating programs recorded the incidence of concussions, and a subset (n = 6) also measured head impact exposures. Results: Analyses by time of year and session type indicated that concussion rates and head impact exposures during all practice sessions and contact practices were higher in the spring and preseason than those in the regular season (P < .05). Concussion rates during the spring season and preseason were statistically similar. Conclusions: We identified comparable concussion risks in the spring season and preseason, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions to protect athlete health and safety.