The Influence of Prior Concussion History and Gender on Post-Concussive Recovery in Young Athletes

PURPOSE: To determine if female athletes with a prior history of concussion have a longer recovery period when compared with their male counterparts with a similar history of prior concussion. METHODS: We reviewed male and female youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes (10-35 years old) seen by one provider for post-concussive symptoms at an outpatient sports medicine clinic. RESULTS: When comparing males and females with a prior history of concussion, there were no differences found (p = 0.4006) in recovery time following a concussion. Without regard to gender, those with no history of prior concussion are more likely to recover from post-concussive symptoms than those with a prior concussion history, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.1027). When assessing whether gender alone influenced recovery rates, findings suggest that males are more likely to recover at any time point when compared to their female counterparts (p = 0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: History of at least one prior concussion in young athletes results in a higher initial symptom score and extended duration of post-concussive symptoms, thereby prolonging recovery time. According to our study, there are no gender-based differences in recovery time for those who sustain multiple concussions.