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A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Sport-Related Concussion: Prevalence and Patterns in a Multi-Cohort Analysis
Emma Finnegan1, Ed Daly1, Katherine J Hunzinger2,3
1Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Dublin Rd., H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland.
Nutrients
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and appetite loss are common after concussion, affecting over 60% of athletes. Current concussion assessment tools often miss these crucial gastrointestinal issues, highlighting a need for better screening and care.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Concussions are prevalent globally across sports, yet diagnosis and recovery are hindered by inconsistent symptom recognition.
- Concussion's impact extends beyond neurological effects, with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms often overlooked in current assessment frameworks.
- GI symptoms can influence athletes' nutrition choices and tolerance during post-concussion recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and patterns of GI symptoms in athletes with a concussion history.
- To investigate potential differences in GI symptom prevalence and burden based on sex and country.
- To evaluate the representation of GI symptoms within standard concussion assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 401 adult athletes with concussion history from multinational and US rugby cohorts.
- Administered online surveys assessing concussion history, post-concussion symptoms (RPQ/SCAT-6), and GI-specific symptoms.
- Analyzed data descriptively and comparatively, stratified by sex and country.
Main Results:
- 62.1% of athletes reported at least one GI symptom, most commonly nausea/vomiting (74.3%) and poor appetite (56.6%).
- No significant differences in GI symptom prevalence were found between sexes (females: 65.9% vs. males: 59.1%).
- GI symptom prevalence varied significantly by country (Ireland: 85.9% vs. US: 51.2%).
- Standard concussion tools (RPQ/SCAT) underrepresented GI symptoms, with nausea/vomiting more frequently reported on these tools (51.4%) than GI-specific items (46.1%).
Conclusions:
- GI symptoms are common in athletes post-concussion, with prevalence varying by country but not significantly by sex.
- Current concussion assessment tools inadequately capture the range of GI symptoms experienced by athletes.
- Enhanced GI screening and nutrition support should be integrated into multidisciplinary concussion care pathways.
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