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Updated: May 28, 2025
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In Vivo Protocol of Controlled Subconcussive Head Impacts for the Validation of Field Study Data
Published on: April 18, 2019
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Head Contact and Suspected Concussion Rates in University Basketball: Are Head Contact Penalties a Target for
Christy J Fehr1, Stephen W West1,2,3, Brent E Hagel1,4,5,6,7
1Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Summary
Male basketball players experience more head contacts (HCs) than females, but concussion rates are similar. Most HCs occur near the key during play, with few being penalized, highlighting a need for better injury prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- Head contact (HC) and concussion incidence rates (IRs) in university basketball are critical areas for injury prevention.
- Understanding sex-based differences in HC and concussion risk is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare head contact and suspected concussion incidence rates between male and female university basketball players.
- To describe the game events and court locations associated with head contacts in university basketball.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study analyzing video footage from Canadian university basketball games (2019-2020).
- Head contacts were classified (HC1: direct, HC2: indirect) and analyzed using Dartfish video analysis software.
- Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rates and rate ratios for HCs and suspected concussions.
Main Results:
- Two hundred thirty head contacts were observed, with 88.7% classified as direct player-to-player (HC1).
- The incidence rate of HC1 was significantly higher in male players (IRR, 1.55) compared to female players.
- No significant difference in suspected concussion incidence rates was found between male and female players (IRR, 2.00).
- Head contacts predominantly occurred within the key, with shooting and defending actions being common associated game events.
- A low percentage of head contacts were penalized (11.2% for defenders, 25.7% for offensive players).
Conclusions:
- Male university basketball players exhibit higher head contact rates than female players, yet concussion rates do not differ significantly by sex.
- Game events and court locations associated with head contacts vary between male and female players.
- Penalization of head contacts presents a priority target for injury prevention, as most incidents in competition remain unpenalized.
