A - 02 The Epidemiology of Concussion in Middle School Football

Abstract Objective Middle school is often the first exposure to American football for many children. However, research examining concussion in has primarily focused on high and older athletes. Therefore, we investigated incidence of subsequent sport time loss (TL) MS football. Methods Athlete (AE) injury rates (IR) were gathered by onsite Certified Athletic Trainers within public middle all events across 2015/16–2019/20 years. AE was defined as one athlete participating practice or game. TL number days between return dates. Concussion per 1000AE with corresponding confidence intervals (CI) calculated. Injury rate ratios (IRR) 95% CIs compared IR practices games. excluding 1.0 considered significant. Results 75 concussions (IR = 1.38/1000AE, CI 1.06–1.69) occurred 54,544 AEs. The significantly higher games (n 31, 3.51, 95%CI 2.27–4.75) than 44, 0.96, 0.68–1.25; IRR 3.65, 2.30–5.77). mean 16.50 ± 8.25 days. Conclusions We observed (practices games) associated from be consistent prior youth research. more 3 times that practices. This similar findings, but less reported Continued evaluating modifiable risk factors needed.