Differences in Outcome of

Concussions based on gender

Dana Disney
Methods

Abstract
It is estimated that more than 1.6 million sport related concussions
occur every year in the United States (Frommer, Gurka, Cross,
Ingersoll, Comstock, & Saliba, 2011). Although males continue to
participate in athletics more than females, research has shown that
females have a higher incident rate of sport related concussions and
may respond differently their male counterparts (Dvorak, McCrory,
Kirkendall, 2007). Understanding the differences between males and
females following a concussion can help medical personnel gain a
better knowledge of what to look for and accept from males and
females after a concussion. 15 student-athletes(57% female and 43%
male), who had previously sustained a concussion, participated in this
study. The participants completed an online survey consisting of
questions related to symptoms, location of impact, resolution time,
and number of. A qualitative review of the responses was conducted
to determine gender differences following a concussion

Conclusions

Participants: 15 student athletes (8 females, 6 males,1 unreported)

Procedure: Survey was sent via Survey Monkey to selected student
athletes who have sustained a concussion within the last five years.
Subjects were asked to complete the survey regarding symptoms
and resolution time following a concussion.

Results

Symptoms
Nervous/Anxious

There was a reported difference in symptoms/recovery time between males and

females.

16 total concussions were reported by females

6 total concussions were reported by males

5 females reported a loss of consciousness

1 male reported a loss of consciousness

For both male and female, headaches were the most prevalent symptom.

Females reported more emotional symptoms, neck pain, and dizziness.

Males reported feeling slowed down and irritability.

The average resolution time for males was 2 weeks.

The average resolution time for females was 3 weeks.

Irritability
Trouble Sleeping
Drowsiness
Don't Feel right
Confusion
Fatigue
Difficulty remembering
Difficulty concentrating
Pressure in head
Feeling Slow
Sadness

Further Research

More Emotional
Sensitivity to noise

Concussion
A minor traumatic brain injury induced by traumatic biomechanical
forces. The force can cause twisting and stretching of brain cells that
can alter the neurological circuit within the brain(Harmon,et al., 2012).

Sensitivity to light
Balance Problems
Blurred Vision
Dizziness
Nausea or Vomitting
Neck Pain
Fog
Headache
0

Symptoms
Memory problems, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, double vision or
blurred vision, headache, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise,
balance problems, irritability, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
Gender
There ma be differences between gender following a concussion.
Symptoms and resolution time may be much more severe in females
compared to males(Dvorak, McCroory, Kirkendall, 2007).

3
Male

Future research should be conducted between males and

females following a concussion.

Female

Difference of symptoms and recovery time should be

studied between genders.

Resolution Time

More focus should be emphasized on the rate/effects of

concussions regarding females.

3.5

This can help medical personnel establishing treatment

protocols and recognizing when a player has sustained a
concussion.

2.5

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in
outcome of concussions based on gender.
Hypotheses
Males and females will show/report different symptoms after
sustaining a concussion.
Females will report more neurobehavioral symptoms than males.
Females will also reportedly take longer than males to recover from
a concussion.

Citations

1.5

0.5

0-7 days

2 weeks
Male

3 weeks

One month-year

Female

Acknowledgement Section

Dvorak, J., McCrory, P., & Kirkendall, D. T. (2007). Head iniuries in the female football player:
incidence, mechanisms, risk factors and management. British Journal Of Sports Medicine, 41i44-i46.
Frommer, L. J., Gurka, K. K., Cross, K. M., Ingersoll, C. D., Comstock, R. D., & Saliba, S. A. (2011).
Sex Differences in Concussion Symptoms of High School Athletes. Journal Of Athletic Training
(National Trainers Association), 46(1), 76-84.
Harmon, K. G., Drezner, J. A., Gammons, M., Guskiewicz, K. M., Halstead, M., Herring, S. A., &
Roberts, W. O. (2013). American Medical Society for Sports Medicine position statement: concussion
in sport. British Journal Of Sports Medicine, 47(1), 15-26.