The Ivy League-Big Ten Epidemiology of Concussion Study: A Report on Methods and First Findings

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the nature of concussion injury among university student-athletes, including concussion incidence and rates across sports, the mechanisms of injury, the type of activity during competition or practice, and the time to return to academics, return to sport, and symptom resolution.

Purpose: To describe methods of the Ivy League-Big Ten Epidemiology of Concussion Study and first epidemiologic findings.

Study design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with data accrued through a surveillance system that was launched in the 2013-2014 athletic season. Surveillance continues to operate by detecting and collecting sport-related concussion (SRC) cases and non-SRC cases in addition to outcomes among university student-athletes.

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