Association of Headgear Mandate and Concussion Injury Rates in Girls’ High School Lacrosse

Herman DC, Caswell S V, Kelshaw PM, Vincent HK, Lincoln AE. Br J Sports Med. 2022;56:970-974. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-105031

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/17/970.long

Take-Home Message

Headgear may decrease concussion risk among girls high school lacrosse field players. 

Background

Current regulations classify women’s lacrosse as a non-contact sport, which limits the amount of protective equipment required to eyewear and mouthguards. However, unintentional head impacts (such as head-to-stick) occur often, commonly leading to a concussion. Little evidence exists evaluating whether headgear mitigates concussion risk in this population.

Study Goal

The authors aimed to determine if high school girls’ lacrosse players had a lower rate of concussions in a state with a headgear mandate than players in states without a headgear mandate. 

Methods

The authors accessed a pre-existing data registry system (the High School National Athletic Treatment, Injury, and Outcomes Network [NATION]) to analyze athlete exposures and concussions. Each athlete exposure represented a single athlete participating in one high school-sanctioned practice or game. A concussion needed to occur during a high school lacrosse game or practice and be diagnosed by a healthcare professional. The authors compared data from Florida, which has a state-wide headgear mandate, to athletes in 31 other states without a mandate. They focused on data from 2019-2021.

Results

Overall, the authors analyzed 289 school seasons (96 with a helmet mandated), yielding 357,225 athlete exposures (91,074 with a helmet mandated). During these exposures, 141 concussions occurred. Lacrosse players participating in states without a headgear mandate had a ~59% greater incidence of concussion than those in a state with a mandate.

Viewpoints

This study adds to the limited literature suggesting headgear may decrease concussion risk in female high school lacrosse players. More states and lacrosse organizations should consider implementing a similar mandate to reduce concussion incidence in this athletic population. Unlike previous research, this study simultaneously tracked both mandated and non-mandated headgear concussion prevalence, which adds to its strength. However, several limitations are also present. Primarily, this study lacks randomization of participants. Therefore, helmet-mandated athletes (primarily Florida) may be unique compared to other players. This may include differences in refereeing style and player intensity. Secondarily, some lacrosse players in states without mandates may have worn helmets based on their preferences. It is unclear how many athletes in the states without mandates voluntarily wore helmets and may have been protected also. Hence, these results could underestimate the benefit of helmets.

Clinical Implications

Athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals should advocate for headgear mandates and resources to ensure access to headgear in women’s lacrosse to potentially reduce concussion incidence. 

Questions for Discussion

What are your thoughts on helmets and headgear’s ability to decrease concussion risk in athletes? Does this study change your perspective on their ability to reduce concussion incidence?

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Written by: Cade Watts
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Driban

Evidence-Based Assessment of Concussion Course - 5 EBP CEUs