ArticleDiseases (Basel, Switzerland)2025
Concussions in Portuguese Professional Football: A Preliminary Epidemiological Study.
Article in Diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionConcussions are a growing concern in professional football due to their potential short- and long-term neurological consequences. Despite increasing global awareness, data on the epidemiology and clinical management of concussions in Portuguese football remain scarce. This preliminary exploratory study aimed to characterize the incidence, mechanisms, symptomatology, and medical response to concussions in Portugal's Professional Football Leagues during the 2023/2024 season, based on reported cases.
methodsA retrospective observational analysis was conducted on head injuries reported by club medical teams during official matches in Liga Portugal First and Second Leagues. Collected variables included player position, time of injury, mechanism, symptoms, medical interventions and hospital referral.
resultsOnly six concussions were reported during official matches, with an overall incidence of 0.60 per 1000 player-hours. Most occurred in defenders, primarily due to head-to-head collisions, followed by ball impact, falls, and maxillofacial trauma. Injuries were more frequent during the final third of matches. Common symptoms included loss of consciousness, headache, and amnesia. Half of the players were referred to hospital care and underwent cranial CT scans. Among all variables analyzed, a statistically significant association was found between mechanism of injury and occurrence of amnesia (
conclusionsThis preliminary study suggests that defenders face a higher risk of head injuries, particularly from head-to-head impacts occurring late in matches. The prevalence of severe symptoms and the potential association between non-head-to-head impacts and amnesia highlight the need for more robust injury surveillance systems and underscore the importance of improved sideline assessment and return-to-play protocols. The findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive, standardized reporting mechanisms for concussions. Further research should explore long-term neurological effects and the effectiveness of preventive measures such as rule modifications, protective measures, and enhanced concussion management protocols, supported by more extensive and systematically collected data.
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