Abstract
Introduction Knowledge of concussion in handball is limited. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of concussion in Danish youth community handball.
Materials and Methods 758 players aged 11–17 years were followed prospectively as a part of a randomized controlled trial. Handball playing hours and head traumas were monitored weekly by the Oslo Sport Trauma Research Center Health questionnaire (OSTRC-H2) and a concussion specific question over 21 weeks using the app Athlete Monitoring. Players reporting a head injury via the OSTRC-H2 questionnaire or answered yes to the concussion specific question underwent a standardized 5–10-Minute telephone interview within 1 week.
Cases of concussion was defined according to the Consensus in Sport Group. Handball playing hours was defined as time spend in handball training and match. Incidence is reported as cases per 1000 playing hours.
Results 44 cases of concussion were identified. Overall incidence of concussion was 0,94 per 1000 hours [95% CI; 0,68- 1,26]. Female athletes sustained twice as many concussions than male athletes (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2,20 [95% CI; 1,09–4,84]). Concussion happened 9 times more often during match compared to training (9,09 [95% CI; 4,72–18,25]). No statistically significant difference in IRR between age groups (U13/U15 vs. U17; IRR 1,48 [95% CI; 0,59–3,24]) was found.
Conclusion This is the first study reporting concussion incidence in youth handball. Incidence was higher amongst female handball players compared to males and in match versus training. No difference in concussion incidence was found between age groups.
