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Updated: Sep 6, 2026
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Health-Related Quality of Life 5 to 15 Years Following Adolescent Sport-Related Injury: The SHRed Consequences of
Chelsea L Martin1,2, Jean-Michel Galarneau3, Keith O Yeates4,5,6,7
1Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
Objectives:
This study examined the association between adolescent (aged 11-18 years) sport-related concussion (SRC) or musculoskeletal (MSK) injury and long-term (ie, 5-15 years postinjury) health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Design:
This was a substudy of a historical cohort study.
Setting:
This study was conducted in a university setting.
Participants:
Individuals who participated in adolescent sport 5 to 15 years before assessment were included in this study.
Assessment Of Risk Factors Variables:
Reports of SRC, MSK injury, or no injury during adolescent sport participation.
Main Outcome Measures:
Multivariable regression models assessed associations between an adolescent SRC or MSK injury and long-term HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale [VAS] and Index Score) standardized to Canadian population preferences. Models were adjusted for sex, time since injury, athlete identity, and 4 physical activity exposures modeled separately to reduce collinearity. Effect measure modification was evaluated for all two-way interactions.
Results:
A total of 325 individuals participated (aged 16-33 years). EQ-5D-5L median [interquartile range] scores were high across groups [Index Score, no injury: 0.91 (0.88, 0.95), MSK injury: 0.91 (0.87, 0.95), SRC: 0.91 (0.87, 0.95); VAS score, no injury: 85 (78, 90), MSK injury: 85 (78, 90), SRC: 85 (75, 90)]. The SRC group demonstrated lower EQ-5D-5L index scores across all models (β-range: -1.93 to -1.97, 95% confidence interval range: -3.61-0.34) compared with the uninjured group. No VAS score differences were observed between groups; however, the age-by-group interaction was significant, indicating lower VAS scores among older participants who sustained a SRC.
Conclusion:
Sport-related concussion may influence HRQoL years after injury, and targeted interventions focusing on the specific domains of HRQoL that are impacted may be indicated.
