title: High School Athletes' Perceptions of Concussion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The perception high school athletes have regarding concussions may influence their injury-reporting behavior, and if their perceptions are based on incorrect or incomplete information, they may be at risk for subsequent head injuries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the recent influx of concussion information has had a positive impact on high school athletes' knowledge of concussions, to determine their perceptions regarding the severity of a concussion injury, and to determine whether receiving correct information will potentially alter their future reporting behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 454 high school athletes (212 females, 242 males; mean age, 15.7 ± 1.15 years) from 6 different schools participated in an anonymous survey. The researchers met with teams individually at their high schools to collect data and provide an educational intervention regarding sports-related concussions. The survey questions assessed the athletes' personal injury histories and perceptions and knowledge of the severity of concussion injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a difference in the number of athletes who reported having their "bell rung" (n = 297) versus the number of athletes reporting at least 1 concussion (n = 172) (t (453) = -11.60, P = .000, d = -0.54). There was also a difference in the number of athletes who reported a history of at least 1 concussion at the beginning of the study session (n = 172) versus the number of athletes who reported at least 1 concussion at the end of the session (n = 292) (t (453) = -12.018, P = .000, d = 0.732). Fifty percent of athletes also stated that the importance of a game/event should dictate when they return to play.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High school athletes continue to fail to realize when they have sustained a concussion. Additionally, athletes lack understanding regarding the severity and seriousness of a concussion. A better effort at formalized education must be made if the culture of sports is to change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allied health care professionals need to continue to put forth a great effort in educating all student athletes on what a concussion is and the dangers of a concussion injury. Preseason meetings should be used as an opportunity to provide formalized education to all student athletes.
authors.affiliation: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Theresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Miyashita
authors.affiliation: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diakogeorgiou
authors.affiliation: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hellstrom
authors.affiliation: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuchwara
authors.affiliation: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tafoya
authors.affiliation: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Young
keywords: concussions; education; high school athletes; knowledge