8.1 Absence time after a concussion is different in the two highest leagues in German professional football (soccer)

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2024-01, Vol.58 (Suppl 1), p.A125-A125
• Main Authors: Bloch, Hendrik, Klein, Chistian, Reinsberger, Claus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concussion; Professional football; Second Round Abstract Submissions; Soccer
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.326

ObjectiveThis study investigates the days of absence after concussion in the two highest professional football (soccer) leagues in Germany between 2014 and 2020.DesignRetrospective analysis of all concussions registered by clubs or physicians at the trauma insurance (VBG) as part of mandatory occupational accident reporting.SettingMen´s German 1st and 2nd Bundesliga.Participants152 players with diagnosed concussion (mean age 25.1 years ± 4.0 standard deviation).Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)Inter-season and inter-league comparisons were calculated by Kruskal-Wallis (KW) and unpaired samples t-tests.Outcome MeasuresPrevalence, match incidence rates and days of absence.Main Results126 of 172 (73.3%) reported concussions during 138.000 hours of match play result in a match incidence of 0.91 per 1.000 match hours. Concussion prevalence was 3.0% (range 2.5–4.0) per player per season (median 26.5 concussions per season, range 24–32). Mean time loss in days per concussion was significantly longer in the 1st compared to the 2nd Bundesliga (mean ± standard deviation: 7.29 ± 5.99 vs. 5.00 ± 4.46, p < 0.05). Absence time in the 1st Bundesliga was significantly longer in season 2019/20 (9.5 ± 4.8, median=8) compared to 2014/15 (3.89 ± 3.95, median=3) and 2015/16 (3.92 ± 4.42, median=3) (p