1285 Sport-Related Concussion in Women’s Cheerleading: Does Mechanism of Injury Affect Recovery

INTRODUCTION: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a health issue affecting athletes that remains understudied in cheerleading. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a regional sport concussion center database. All cheerleaders with SRC between the ages of 12-23 were included. Mechanisms of injury were categorized by contact mechanism (head-to-head/body vs. head-to-ground/object), player mechanism (stunt vs. tumbling/training), and player position (flyer vs. base/spotter). Primary outcomes included total symptom scores and days to return-to-learn (RTL), symptom resolution, and return-to-play (RTP). Multivariable linear regressions were performed, controlling for potential covariates. RESULTS: Across 59 cheerleaders (age: mean=16.4, SD=1.8; 100% female), 86% (51/59) were in high school. Concussions more frequently occurred during stunts compared to tumbling/training [n=43 (72.9%) vs. n=10 (16.9%), χ 2=38.64,?p<.001]. For athletes participating in stunts, a similar number were injured between the flyer and base/spotter positions (p=.666). No significant differences in frequency of contact mechanisms were found (p=.141). The median RTL and RTP were 4 (IQR=2-9) and 21 (IQR=12-38) days, respectively. In multivariable linear regression analyses, neither contact mechanisms, player mechanisms, nor player positions were predictors of recovery (all p-values>.05). Longer time to clinic presentation was associated with greater days to RTL (β =0.56 [0.23, 0.89], p=.002) and RTP (β =0.42 [0.17, 0.67], p=.002), and higher symptom scores predicted longer RTP (β =0.54 [0.28, 0.80], p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: In concussed cheerleaders, most injuries occurred during stunts. Differences in contact mechanism, player mechanism, or player position did not appear to significantly alter recovery, while longer time to clinic presentation and higher symptom scores did. These findings reiterate the risk of concussions during stunts and the need for early recognition and evaluation of concussion injuries.