Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
17-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
Introduction: Concussions represent a significant public health concern, with widespread implications across various populations from athletes and military personnel to the general public. Despite increased attention in both research and public discourse, substantial gaps in knowledge and persistent misconceptions continue to influence concussion recognition, reporting, and management behaviors. Research consistently demonstrates variable levels of concussion knowledge across different populations. Misconceptions about concussions persist even among populations with higher general awareness. Despite education and public awareness campaigns many adults have surface knowledge of symptoms and misunderstand injury and recovery. These identified knowledge gaps and misconceptions have significant implications for public health, clinical practice, and educational policy.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to further explore the knowledge gaps and misconceptions in college students in order to understand factors that are associated with misconceptions.
Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Participants were 313 undergraduate students attending a small liberal arts college. Demographics of the institution were 59% white, 20% African American, and 10% Hispanic/Latino. Participants were sought through an undergraduate research participation pool and through varsity sports teams on campus. Exclusion criteria were graduate students and those students who did not complete the measure. Participants self-identified as college athletes, individuals who participated in high school sports, or individuals with no formal athletic experience.
Results: There was a significant difference in overall knowledge, particularly when comparing athletes and people who had never participated in organized sports. However, the effect size was small and the difference represented 1 question. Incorrect information is common as 83% of the sample believed at least 1 misconception, while 67% identified at least one incorrect concussion symptom. For example, 30% of the sample believed that getting a second hit improves memory. Concussion history was associated with better knowledge about concussion symptomology. Experiencing training from different sources also helps reduce misconceptions. With that said, neither the participants overall concussion knowledge or belief misconceptions, were related to their attitudes towards concussions.
Conclusion: This study conveys that the difference in knowledge and misconception about concussions compared between athletes and nonathletes is negligible. The variable that differentiated between level of knowledge was actually concussion history suggesting those who know more about concussions are those who have already experienced one. Given the increased chance of sustaining a concussion that athletes face throughout their careers, and the chronic long term effects implicated in sustaining one, this population should be educated at least beyond that of the non-athletic population in knowledge. This study suggests that although concussions are gaining more attention in research and public discourse, they are still not understood as well as they should be.
Embargo Period
6-3-2026
Included in
Factors Associated with Concussion Knowledge and Misconceptions in Students Depending on Athlete Status
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction: Concussions represent a significant public health concern, with widespread implications across various populations from athletes and military personnel to the general public. Despite increased attention in both research and public discourse, substantial gaps in knowledge and persistent misconceptions continue to influence concussion recognition, reporting, and management behaviors. Research consistently demonstrates variable levels of concussion knowledge across different populations. Misconceptions about concussions persist even among populations with higher general awareness. Despite education and public awareness campaigns many adults have surface knowledge of symptoms and misunderstand injury and recovery. These identified knowledge gaps and misconceptions have significant implications for public health, clinical practice, and educational policy.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to further explore the knowledge gaps and misconceptions in college students in order to understand factors that are associated with misconceptions.
Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Participants were 313 undergraduate students attending a small liberal arts college. Demographics of the institution were 59% white, 20% African American, and 10% Hispanic/Latino. Participants were sought through an undergraduate research participation pool and through varsity sports teams on campus. Exclusion criteria were graduate students and those students who did not complete the measure. Participants self-identified as college athletes, individuals who participated in high school sports, or individuals with no formal athletic experience.
Results: There was a significant difference in overall knowledge, particularly when comparing athletes and people who had never participated in organized sports. However, the effect size was small and the difference represented 1 question. Incorrect information is common as 83% of the sample believed at least 1 misconception, while 67% identified at least one incorrect concussion symptom. For example, 30% of the sample believed that getting a second hit improves memory. Concussion history was associated with better knowledge about concussion symptomology. Experiencing training from different sources also helps reduce misconceptions. With that said, neither the participants overall concussion knowledge or belief misconceptions, were related to their attitudes towards concussions.
Conclusion: This study conveys that the difference in knowledge and misconception about concussions compared between athletes and nonathletes is negligible. The variable that differentiated between level of knowledge was actually concussion history suggesting those who know more about concussions are those who have already experienced one. Given the increased chance of sustaining a concussion that athletes face throughout their careers, and the chronic long term effects implicated in sustaining one, this population should be educated at least beyond that of the non-athletic population in knowledge. This study suggests that although concussions are gaining more attention in research and public discourse, they are still not understood as well as they should be.