ABSTRACT

This chapter seeks to provide a historical perspective on concussions in order to contextualize research developments on the psychosocial aspects of concussion. It explores literature spanning sports medicine, neuropsychology, sociology, and sport psychology. The chapter explains a long-term historical perspective on the first accounts of concussive symptoms in sport and performance domains. It describes more events which have moved concussion issues into the forefront of popular consciousness and transformed sport concussion into a social issue—one requiring appropriate management and intervention on the part of sport organizations and government agencies. The chapter examines the extent to which contemporary research has impacted social change and public policy efforts. It discusses a long-term and historical perspective on the emergence of concussion as a sport-related injury. Sports medicine and science evolved as dedicated disciplines in North America, beginning in the 1950s with the formation of the National Athletic Trainers Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.