A Comparison of Determinants of Musculoskeletal and Concussion Injury Disclosure in Adolescent Athletes: An Alternative Explanation for Secondary Musculoskeletal Injury Risk After Concussion.

OBJECTIVE

Despite the identification of persistent neuromusculoskeletal control deficits and secondary musculoskeletal (MSK) injury after a concussion, no clear explanation exists to explain this interaction. This article explored the association between the intention to disclose a concussion and intention to disclose an MSK injury among adolescent athletes.

DESIGN

Cross-Sectional.

SETTING

Online Survey.

PATIENTS OR OTHER

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred sixty-four athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 years [male = 58.2%, age = 15.8 (1.8)].

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Sex, gender, age, and socioeconomic status.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Online survey exploring determinants of musculoskeletal and concussion injury disclosure intentionality, knowledge of signs and symptoms, as well as attitudes, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control surrounding injury disclosure.

RESULTS

There was a strong, positive correlation between intention to disclose a concussion and intention to disclose an MSK injury (r = 0.578, P < 0.001). Knowledge of signs, symptoms, and consequences, attitudes toward disclosure, and perceived social norms surrounding injury disclosure of both concussion and MSK injury were also shown to be significant predictive determinates. Male adolescent athletes were significantly more likely to report both an MSK injury and a concussion. In addition, although a history of concussion decreased concussion disclosure intentionality, a history of MSK injury increased MSK injury disclosure intentionality.

CONCLUSIONS

Intention to disclose a concussion was positively associated with intention to disclose an MSK injury. Future studies should address the effect of cross-cutting interventions to improve attitudes surrounding concussion and MSK injury disclosure that may also influence perceived social norms surrounding injury reporting.