THE SCIENCE · STILL OPEN
What sport scientists say, with sources. Then see how athletes actually answered.
In a study of young athletes with a sport-related concussion, those who kept playing took 44 days to recover on average, versus 22 days for those removed from play right away. They were 8.8 times more likely to have a recovery of 3 weeks or more. The athletes were adolescents, but the lesson travels: finishing the game can cost you the next month.
Disclosure: Co-founder of a sports nutrition company. No funding for this content.
In the NCAA Concussion Study of 2,905 college football players, 12 had a second concussion in the same season. 11 of those 12 (92%) happened within 10 days of the first. The brain is most vulnerable in that window, which is why coming back early is the risky part.
Disclosure: Co-founder of a sports nutrition company. No funding for this content.
In a survey of 1,532 high school varsity football players, 15% said they'd had a concussion that season, but only 47% of them reported it. The top reason, given by two thirds: they didn't think it was serious enough. That's exactly why the locker asks anonymously.
Disclosure: Co-founder of a sports nutrition company. No funding for this content.
Sport scientists, physicians and researchers can post a fact or reply to one here, with name, credentials and a source.
Not medical advice. Posts are reviewed before they go live. If you're worried about your health, see a doctor. Warning signs