Published In
Sports Law and Governance Journal
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Subjects
Sports, Concussion
Abstract
Concussions in sports are a significant public health concern worldwide. Concussion is a traumatic brain injury (‘TBI’) resulting from biomechanical forces transmitted to the head that disrupt normal neurological function. Globally, an estimated 69 million TBIs occur annually. Concussive effects can persist as long-term syndromes (post-concussion syndrome), or compound themselves into life-threatening emergencies (second-impact syndrome). Chronic, even subconcussive, impacts can ultimately lead to degenerative neurological conditions (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Troublingly, to date, there remains no medical cure for concussions. Prevention is thus paramount, as well as management, to avoid the compounding of injury or dangerous complications, as noted. Sports and recreation activities, while important contributors to general health and fitness, are paradoxically also among the leading causes of concussions, particularly in young people. In Canada for example, over half of total reported concussions occur in this sphere, with the figure exceeding 80 per cent in persons aged 16–34. Measures to prevent concussions in sports are therefore central to any overall strategy of confronting the wider public health problem of concussive injury. Society as a whole has taken note—with the recognition of a concussion “crisis” in sports. Governance organizations have acknowledged a need to act. But concrete prevention strategies largely need to be sport-specific, in light of the differing mechanisms and causes of concussion in different sports, as well as the particular nature, features, traditions, and culture of each sport. This article takes up this task—offering tangible, actionable, and difference-making adjustments for four prominent sports: soccer, American football, basketball, and ice hockey.
Citation Details
M. Moore, "Making Headway on Sports Concussion: Sport-Specific Strategies for Concussion Prevention" (2025) 1:2 Sports Law and Governance Journal.