Paper 61: NCAA Football Players are at Higher Risk of Upper Extremity Injury After Concussion

Objectives: Sport related concussion has been repeatedly demonstrated to increase the risk of subsequent lower extremity injury in athletes. The current literature suggests that, for multiple years after a concussion, athletes are at increased injury. However, we unaware any studies that have an upper injuries sport concussion. purpose this study was investigate change NCAA football players return play from Methods: Sports Injury Research Archive (SIRA) single athletic conference queried de-identified data on concussions and injuries. All diagnosed with recorded database were identified between 2017-2021. Athletes excluded if their not related, they had concussions, or did previous activity level respective sport. Each concussed athlete then retrospectively followed year prior as well one beginning 3 months date If known returned within study. previously described mean number per pre-concussion post-concussion groups. odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, statistical significance groups calculated using Microsoft Excel. Results: After exclusions, 230 2017 through 2021 seasons. In these there total 60 preceding 111 0.26, 0.48. 1.85 times higher than (OR = 1.85, CI 1.29 – 2.66, p < 0.001). Conclusions: collected demonstrates collegiate Multiple shown This is first demonstrate specifically extremities explanation why athletes’ changes still fully understood. Prior research alterations balance, gait, landing biomechanics which could possibly be causative Various investigated coupling perception reaction amongst head theorized potential causes risk. Another consideration simply may way approach sustaining Further topic should aim characterizing types portend largest risk, exploring different sports, investigating magnitude longer time points. Delineating clear worthy future research.