ABSTRACT
Sport-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have received significant media coverage in recent years, in part due to an increased body of scientific literature and growing concern surrounding their long-term effects. The major focus is centered on concussions, which are believed to account for 80% of TBI-related visits to emergency departments.1 With the development and application of advanced concussion assessment tools, including neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, and balance and gait assessments, there is a rising tide of data that is driving changes in clinical practices and management of concussed patients. In this chapter, we explore the major features of sport-related TBI, with a special emphasis on concussions. This overview will cover definitions of the injury, pathophysiology, biomechanics, epidemiology, clinical management, and future directions in research. The details of each of these sections are taken from the most current and impactful literature in the field; this includes both primary research as well as expert opinion and consensus and position statements of major societies and organizations imparting meaningful guidance to clinicians and healthcare professionals. These include the American Academy of Neurology,2 American Academy of Pediatrics,3 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine,4 National Athletic Trainers’ Association,5 and the 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport.6 Furthermore, we present commentary on this literature that is meant to highlight the difficulties of translational research in the field and project the trajectory of the sport-related concussion field in the coming years.
