Assessing The Impact: Headgear Usage And Concussions In High School Girls’ Lacrosse In Ohio

PURPOSE: Headgear is currently optional for high school girls’ lacrosse players in the state of Ohio. This study examined headgear use and concussions in high school girls’ lacrosse in Ohio. METHODS: At the start of the season, Ohio high school athletic trainers (ATs) completed a baseline survey gathering data on the number of junior varsity (JV) and varsity athletes on their team and the number of those athletes who typically wear headgear. Throughout the 14-week season, the ATs completed weekly surveys via REDCap collecting data on concussion including details about the injury and if the injured athlete was wearing headgear at time of injury. RESULTS: Across 22 Ohio high schools, there were 351 JV athletes and 456 varsity girls' lacrosse athletes. There were 1 JV (0.2%) and 6 varsity (1.3%) athletes who voluntarily wore headgear (i.e., they were not goalies who are required to wear headgear). There were 31 reported concussions (injury proportion = 3.8%, 95% CI = 2.5-5.2%); 7 (22.5%) of which the athlete wore headgear at the time of injury. Of these 7, 6 were goalies at the time of injury and 1 was a defense player who voluntarily wore headgear. Therefore, the proportion for athletes voluntarily wearing headgear was 14.3% (95% CI = 0-40%). CONCLUSIONS: This study surveyed Ohio ATs and determined the proportion of concussions in high school girls’ lacrosse athletes with and without headgear. A very small percentage (0.9%) of high school girls’ lacrosse athletes wear headgear in the state of Ohio. The proportion of concussions was higher in the athletes that voluntarily wore headgear, though we cannot draw definitive conclusions due to the relatively small sample size. Although the study suggests that headgear use in girls lacrosse athletes may not reduce the concussions, future investigations with larger cohorts are needed to establish robust associations. This study was supported by Ohio State's Chronic Brain Injury Program Community Engagement grant