Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
11:32
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
12.8K
The Interval Between Concussions Does Not Influence Time to Asymptomatic or Return to Play: A CARE Consortium Study
Eric J Shumski1, Shawn R Eagle2, Anthony P Kontos3
1UGA Concussion Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Ramsey Student Center, University of Georgia, 330 River Rd., Athens, GA, 30602, USA. eric.shumski@uga.edu.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|April 26, 2024
Summary
The time between two concussions did not significantly impact recovery time or post-concussion assessment performance in collegiate athletes. Recovery outcomes were similar regardless of whether concussions occurred in the same or different seasons.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Concussions are a significant concern in athletes.
- Understanding factors influencing recovery from multiple concussions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the interval between two concussive injuries affects recovery timelines.
- To determine the influence of time between concussions on post-concussion assessment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 448 collegiate athletes and service academy cadets with two concussions.
- Primary predictor: time between concussions (median 295 days).
- Outcomes: time to asymptomatic status, time to return to play, symptom burden, and neurocognitive/balance assessments.
Main Results:
- Time between concussions did not significantly influence time to asymptomatic status or return to play.
- No significant difference in recovery between same-season and different-season concussions.
- Sex was a significant factor in return to play; delayed symptom onset and immediate removal impacted symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- In athletes with a substantial interval between concussions, the time gap may not be a critical factor for clinical recovery.
- Further research may explore other variables influencing recovery from multiple concussions.
