Key result
Adolescents with recreational sport concussions report ~55% higher SCAT5 emotional scores than those in club sports.
Why the study?
Concussed adolescents often report increased emotional symptoms, but little is known about the possible influence of sport participation level on these symptoms.
Does the level of sport participation affect emotional symptoms following sport-related concussion in adolescents?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,079)
Does the level of sport participation affect emotional symptoms following sport-related concussion in adolescents?
Effect estimate: η2 0.009
Absolute Event Rate: 3.3% vs 2.13%
p-value: p=0.007
Adolescents injured in recreational sports, particularly females, may experience greater emotional symptoms following a concussion compared to those in school or club teams.
May link sport participation level to post-concussion emotional symptoms in adolescents; hypothesis-generating, needs prospective confirmation.
Purpose Concussed adolescents often report increased emotional symptoms. Little is known about possible influence of level of sport participation (school, club, recreational) on these symptoms. This study explored the association of sport participation levels with emotional symptoms. Method 1,079 participants without a psychological history were diagnosed with a sport-related concussion in the North Texas Concussion Registry (Female=45.3%; aged 12-17; <14 days of injury). Sport participation level was categorized as school, competitive club, or recreational league. Participants completed: Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5(SCAT5©) Symptom Evaluation, providing an Emotional Cluster (Irritability, Nervous/Anxious, Sadness, More Emotional), General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). 2x3 ANOVAs (sex-x-participation level) analyzed scores Results SCAT5© Emotional Cluster: Main effects of participation level (p=.007, η2 =.009) and sex (p <.001, η2=.019). Recreational (M+SD)(3.30+5.07) and school sports (2.59+4.04) reported higher symptoms than club (2.13+3.64). Females reported higher symptoms (3.11+4.37) than males (2.03+3.62). GAD-7: Main effects of participation level (p=.043, η2=.006) and sex (p<.001, η2=.017). Recreational (2.94+3.64) and school (2.89+3.71) sports reported higher symptoms than club (2.49+3.38). Females reported higher symptoms (3.41+3.99) than males (2.28+3.19). PHQ-8: Sex-x-participation level interaction (p=.035, η2=.006) with main effects of participation level (p=.009, η2=.009) and sex (p<.001, η2= .012). Recreational sports (4.72+4.42) reported higher symptoms than school (3.99+4.37) or club (3.43+3.92). Females reported higher symptoms (4.54+4.69) than males (3.34+3.79). Conclusions Participants injured in recreational sports may experience greater emotional symptoms than those in school or club teams, especially females. These findings prompt examination of potential supportive team factors that may affect emotional symptoms following concussion.
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A 2026 study conducted a cross-sectional in Sport-related concussion (n=1,079). Level of sport participation (recreational vs school vs club) vs. Club sports was evaluated on SCAT5 Emotional Cluster score (η2 0.009, p=0.007). Adolescents with sport-related concussions in recreational sports reported significantly higher emotional symptoms on the SCAT5 compared to those in club sports (mean score 3.30 vs 2.13; p=0.007).
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