The impact of an educational intervention on college athletes' knowledge of concussions

Clin J Sport Med. 2013 Sep;23(5):349-53. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0b013e318289c321.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine college athletes' knowledge regarding concussions and to determine if an educational lecture before their sport season would improve their knowledge and reporting of concussions.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University classroom.

Participants: Seventy National College Athletic Association Division II men's/women's soccer players and men's/women's basketball players.

Interventions: Educational lecture regarding the basics of concussions.

Main outcome measures: Descriptive statistics, ANOVAs, and a paired sample t test determined the athletes' knowledge of concussion before and after the season and the impact of the educational intervention.

Results: A paired sample t test indicated that the athletes scored better on the postseason concussion knowledge assessment [t(49) = 10.34, P < 0.000, d = 1.47].

Conclusions: After an educational intervention, athletes demonstrated an improvement in their knowledge on concussions.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Athletes / statistics & numerical data*
  • Brain Concussion*
  • Female
  • Health Education*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Young Adult