The Price She Pays to Play the Game: A Study onFemale vs Male Athletes’ Experiences with ConcussionClemson University: Jimmy Sanderson, PhD & Melinda R. Weathers, PhDPink Concussions: Katherine Snedaker, LMSW

NO GUTS, NO

GLORY

What do we know about concussion?• Media Reports • Personal Experience• Research

Most Existing Research is PhysiologicalOur study looked at communication issues

Why do athletes continue to play after experiencing concussive symptoms?

Do female athletes hide concussions as often as males?

Do females athletes hide their concussions for the same reasonsas males?

The ProblemFemale athletes receive nearly 2x as many concussions as male athletes in the same sports with same rules

After a concussion, females tend to: • have more severe symptoms • take longer to recover than

males

Our Study MethodsSnowball Sampling Gender specific photosAge 18+

Use of Social MediaTwitterFacebookInstagram

Online Survey 40 Questions16 Open Ended Questions

Total Participants529 female

314 male

Answered online questions Athletic experiencesReporting or hiding head injuriesReasons for continuing to play

Female Participants 19.5 = average age of 1st concussion

A variety of sports soccer, lacrosse, rugby ,equestrian, skiing, and snowboarding

The Female Participants averaged…

• 4 concussions diagnosed by AT/MD (range 1-21)

• 6 concussions if added hidden concussions (range 1-33)

• 29.5 years old at time of survey (range 18-64 years)

• 19 years old at their first concussion

47% of female athletes concussed outside of sports (n=245)

They averaged 2 concussions outsides sports (range 1-9)

Male Participants 17.9 = average age of 1st concussion

A variety of sports ranging from football, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, wrestling, baseball, basketball

*THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE WORD CONCUSSION

Why didn’t you report your symptoms?Lack of AwarenessLack of Perceived SeverityLack of ResourcesSports Culture Allegiance to Team

Conforming to Culture

Lack of Awareness

Allegiance to Team

Why do athletes continue to play after experiencing concussive symptoms?

Conclusions

Lack of AwarenessLack of Perceived SeverityLack of ResourcesSports Culture Allegiance to Team

Do female athletes hide concussions as often as males?

Did female athletes in our studyhide concussions as often as males?

Do females hide concussions for the same reasons as males?

Women were more likely to not report due to:Lack of awareness Lack of resourcesSports cultural norms

Men were more likely to not report due to:Allegiance to teamLack of Perceived Severity

Female AthletesIncrease Awareness Increase Resources

“Want to keep playing”

Male AthletesBest for Team

Explain Severity

Design ConcussionEducation

Concussion Education needs to teachcommunication skillshow to advocate for one’s healthhow to reporting early signshow to report team mates

All athletes need accessibletrustedproper medical care