Mechanisms of Injury Leading to Concussions in Collegiate Soccer Players: A CARE Consortium Study
Authors: Jo Jacob , Boltz Adrian J. , Williams Kristen L. , Pasquina Paul F. , McAllister Thomas W. , McCrea Michael A. , Broglio Steven P. , Zuckerman Scott L. , Terry Douglas P. ,   CARE Consortium Investigators, Arbogast Kristy , Benjamin Holly J. , Brooks Alison , Cameron Kenneth L. , Chrisman Sara P.D. , Clugston James R. , Collins Micky , DiFiori John , Eckner James T. , Estevez Carlos , Feigenbaum Luis A. , Goldman Joshua T. , Hoy April , Kaminski Thomas W. , Kelly Louise A. , Kontos Anthony P. , Langford Dianne , Lintner Laura J. , Master Christina L. , McDevitt Jane , McGinty Gerald , Miles Chris , Ortega Justus , Port Nicholas , Rowson Steve , Schmidt Julianne , Susmarski Adam , Svoboda Steven 
Published: April 2024

Background:

Few previous studies have investigated how different injury mechanisms leading to sport-related concussion (SRC) in soccer may affect outcomes.

Purpose:

To describe injury mechanisms and evaluate injury mechanisms as predictors of symptom severity, return to play (RTP) initiation, and unrestricted RTP (URTP) in a cohort of collegiate soccer players.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

The Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium database was used. The mechanism of injury was categorized into head-to-ball, head-to-head, head-to-body, and head-to-ground/equipment. Baseline/acute injury characteristics—including Sports Concussion Assessment Tool–3 total symptom severity (TSS), loss of consciousness (LOC), and altered mental status (AMS); descriptive data; and recovery (RTP and URTP)—were compared. Multivariable regression and Weibull models were used to assess the predictive value of the mechanism of injury on TSS and RTP/URTP, respectively.

Results:

Among 391 soccer SRCs, 32.7% were attributed to a head-to-ball mechanism, 27.9% to a head-to-body mechanism, 21.7% to a head-to-head mechanism, and 17.6% to a head-to-ground/equipment mechanism. Event type was significantly associated with injury mechanism [χ2(3) = 63; P < .001), such that more head-to-ball concussions occurred in practice sessions (n = 92 [51.1%] vs n = 36 [17.1%]) and more head-to-head (n = 65 [30.8%] vs n = 20 [11.1]) and head-to-body (n = 76 [36%] vs n = 33 [18.3%]) concussions occurred in competition. The primary position was significantly associated with injury mechanism [χ2(3) = 24; P < .004], with goalkeepers having no SRCs from the head-to-head mechanism (n = 0 [0%]) and forward players having the least head-to-body mechanism (n = 15 [19.2%]). LOC was also associated with injury mechanism ( P = .034), with LOC being most prevalent in head-to-ground/equipment. Finally, AMS was most prevalent in head-to-ball (n = 54 [34.2%]) and head-to-body (n = 48 [30.4%]) mechanisms [χ2(3) = 9; P = .029]. In our multivariable models, the mechanism was not a predictor of TSS or RTP; however, it was associated with URTP ( P = .044), with head-to-equipment/ground injuries resulting in the shortest mean number of days (14 ± 9.1 days) to URTP and the head-to-ball mechanism the longest (18.6 ± 21.6 days).

Conclusion:

The mechanism of injury differed by event type and primary position, and LOC and AMS were different across mechanisms. Even though the mechanism of injury was not a significant predictor of acute symptom burden or time until RTP initiation, those with head-to-equipment/ground injuries spent the shortest time until URTP, and those with head-to-ball injuries had the longest time until URTP.