International Journal of Sport Management

Seeing through the Fog: The Impact of Concussions on Student-Athlete Academic Performance and Accommodation

Robert Baker, Catherine Glascock, Michael Hutchinson

Abstract: Recent events have produced increased attention to both short and long-term effects of concussion. Yet, limited research has considered the impact of concussion on student-athlete academic performance, with even less having examined academic accommodations throughout the concussion recovery process. Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand the academic experiences of collegiate student-athletes amidst prolonged recovery from concussion. Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study examined collegiate student-athletes (n=9) at three postsecondary institutions who were recovering from a concussion that lasted in excess of two weeks. Findings revealed three themes pertaining to the negative impact of concussion on academic performance, pressure to prematurely return to academic responsibilities, and inequity in student-athlete treatment and accommodation. Implications for academic affairs, student affairs, athletic administration, coaches, and faculty will be provided.

Citation: Baker, R., Glascock, C., & Hutchinson, M. (2017). Seeing through the fog: The impact of concussions on student-athlete academic performance and accommodation. International Journal of Sport Management, 18(4), 546-572.

References

  • Aubry, M., Cantu, R., Dvorak, J., Graf-Baumann, T., Johnston, K., Kelly, J., Lovell, M., McCrory, P., Meeuwisse, W., & Schamasch, P. (2002). Summary and agreement statement on the first International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Vienna 2001. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36, 6-13.
  • Belanger, H.G., & Vanderploeg, R.D. (2005). The neuropsychological impact of sports-related concussion: A meta-analysis. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 11(4), 345-357.
  • Berkowitz, S. (2016, July 14). Judge OKs $75M class-action concussions settlement against NCAA. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2016/07/14/college-football-concussions-lawsuit-ncaa/87097982/.
  • Bernstein, D.M. (1999). Recovery from mild head injury. Brain Injury, 13(3), 151-172.
  • Carson, J., Snow, C., Lawrence, D., Kraft, S., Chatterjee, A., MacKenzie, H., Moineddin, R., & Fremont, P. (2012). Advances in concussion management: Academic accommodations for post concussion student athletes: Can physicians do better? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47, 9-10.
  • Carson, J.D., Lawrence, D.W., Kraft, S.A., Garel, A., Snow, C.L., Chatterjee, A., Libfield, P., MacKenzie, H.M., Thornton, J.S., Moineddin, R., & Fremont, P. (2014). Premature return to play and return to learn after a sport-related concussion. Canadian Family Physician, 60(6), 310-315.
  • Collins, M.W., & Hawn, K.L. (2002, February). The clinical management of sports concussion. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 1(1), 12-22.
  • Collins, M.W., Kontos, A.P., Reynolds, E., Murawski, C.D., & Fu, F.H. (2014). A comprehensive, targeted approach to the clinical care of athletes following sports-related concussion. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy, 22, 235-246.
  • Covassin, T., Stearne, D., & Elbin III, R. (2008). Concussion history and postconcussion neurocognitive performance and symptoms in collegiate athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 43(2), 119-124.
  • Creswell, J.W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design, Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Lincoln, NE: Sage.
  • Creswell, J.W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
  • Dalsgaard, M.K., Quistorff, B., Danielsen, E.R., Selmer, C., Vogelsang, T., & Secher, N.H. (2004). A reduced cerebral metabolic ratio in exercise reflects metabolism and not accumulation of lactate within the human brain. Journal of Physiology, 554(Pt 2), 571-578.
  • DeKruijk, J.R., Twinjstra, A., Meerhoff, S., & Leffers, P. (2001). Management of mild traumatic brain injury: lack of consensus in Europe. Brain Injury, 15, 117-123.
  • Denzin, N.K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (2005). The Sage handbook of qualitative research, 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Elbin, R.J., Schatz, P., Lowder, H.B., & Kontos, A.P. (2014). An empirical review of treatment and rehabilitation approaches ssed in the acute, sub-acute, and chronic phases of recovery following sports-related concussion. Current Treatment Options in Neurology, 16, 320, 1-12.
  • Field, M., Collins, M.W., Lovell, M.R., & Maroon, J. (2003). Does age play a role in recovery from sports-related concussion? A comparison of high school and collegiate athletes. Journal of Pediatrics, 142, 546-553.
  • Gibson, S., Nirgrovic, L.E., O’Brien, M., & Meehan III, W.P. (2013). The effect of recommending cognitive rest on recovery from sport-related concussion. Brain Injury, 27(7-8), 839-842.
  • Giza, C.C., & Hovda, D.A. (2001). The neurometabolic cascade of concussion. Journal of Athletic Training, 36(3), 228-235.
  • Giza, C.C., & Hovda, D.A. (2014). The new neurometabolic cascade of concussion. Neurosurgery,75, 524-533.
  • Grady, M.F. (2010, August). Concussion in the Adolescent Athlete. Current Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Health Care, 40, 154-169.
  • Grady, M.F., Master, C.L., & Gioia, G.A. (2012). Concussion pathophysiology: Rationale for physical and cognitive rest. Pediatric Annals, 41(9), 377-382.
  • Halstead, M.E. (2012). Historical perspectives on concussion. In J.N. Apps, K.D. Walter, (Eds.), Pediatric and adolescent concussion, 3-8. New York, NY: Springer.
  • Halstead, M.E., McAvoy, K., Devore, C.D., Carl, R., Lee, M., & Logan, K. (2013). Returning to learning following a concussion. Pediatrics, 132(5), 948-957, doi:10.1542/peds.20132867
  • Harmon, K.G., Drezner, J.A., Gammons, M., Guskiewicz, K.M., Halstead, M., Herring, S.A., Kutcher, J.S., Pana, A., Putukian, M., & Roberts, W.O. (2013). American Medical Society for Sports Medicine position statement: Concussion in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(1), 15-26.
  • Iverson, G.L., Brooks, B.L., Collins, M.W., & Lovell, M.R. (2006). Tracking neuropsychological recovery following concussion in sport. Brain Injury, 20(3), 245-252.
  • Kaut, K.P., DePompei, R., Kerr, J., & Congeni, J. (2003). Reports of head injury and symptom knowledge among college athletes: Implications for assessment and educational intervention. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 13, 213-221.
  • Kontos, A.P., & Collins, M.W. (2013, Spring). Sport-related concussion research: Advances in prognosis, safer return to play, and clinical treatments. UPMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1-8.
  • Kontos, A.P., Collins, M.W., & Russo, S. (2004). An introduction to sports concussion for the sport psychology consultant. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 16(3), 220-235.
  • Lovell, M.R., Collins, M.W., Iverson, G.L., Field, M., Maroon, J., & Cantu, R. (2003). Recovery from mild concussion in high school athletes. Journal of Neurosurgery, 98, 296-301.
  • Macciocchi, S.N., Barth, J.T., Alves, W.A., Rimel, R.W., & Jane, J.A. (1996). Neuropsychological functioning and recovery following mild head injury in collegiate athletes. Neurosurgery, 39(3), 510-514.
  • Majerske, C.W., Mihalik, J.P., Ren, D., Collins, M.W., Reddy, C.C., Lovell, M.R., & Wagner, A.K. (2008). Concussion in sports: Postconcussive activity levels, symptoms, and neurocognitive performance. Journal of Athletic Training, 43(3), 265-274.
  • Master, C.L., Gioia, G.A., Grady, M.F., & Leddy, J.L. (2012, September). Importance of ‘return-to-learn’ in pediatric and adolescent concussion. Pediatric Annals, 41(9), 1-6.
  • McClincy, M.P., Lovell, M.R., Pardini, J., Collins, M.W., & Spore, M.K. (2006). Recovery from sports concussion in high school and collegiate athletes. Brain Injury, 20(1), 33-39.
  • McCrea M., Guskiewicz, K.M., Marshall, S.W., Barr, W., Randolph, C., Cantu, R.C., Onate, J.A., Yang, J., & Kelly, J.P. (2003). Acute effects and recovery time following concussion in collegiate football players. The NCAA Concussion Study. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(19), 2556-2563.
  • McCrea M., Guskiewicz, K., Randolph, C., Barr, W.B., Hammeke, T.A., Marshall, S.W., Powell, M.R., Woo, A.K., Wang, Y., & Kelly, J.P. (2013). Incidence, clinical course, and predictors of prolonged recovery time following sport-related concussion in high school and college athletes. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 19, 22-33.
  • McCrory, P., Johnston, K., Meeuwisse, W., Aubry, M. Cantu, R., Dvorak, J., Graf-Baumann, T., Kelly, J., Lovell, M., & Schamasch, P. (2005). Summary and agreement statement of the 2nd International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Prague 2004. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39, 196-205.
  • McCrory, P., Meeuwisse, W., Johnston, K., Dvorak, J., Aubry, M., Molloy, M., & Cantu, R. (2009). Consensus statement on concussion in sport: The 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2008. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43 (Suppl I), 76-84.
  • McGrath, N. (2010). Supporting the student-athlete’s return to the classroom after a sport-related concussion. Journal of Athletic Training, 45(2), 492-498.
  • McLeod, T.C.V., & Gioia, G.A. (2010, March). Cognitive rest: The often neglected aspect of concussion management. Human Kinetics, Athletic Therapy Today, 15(2), 1-3.
  • McMillan, J.H., & Schumacher, S. (2010). Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry. Pearson, 7th ed.
  • Meehan, W.P. III, d’Hemecourt, P., Collins, C.L., & Comstock, R.D. (2011). Assessment and management of sport-related concussions in United States high schools. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 39, 2304-2310.
  • Meehan, W.P. III, Mannix, R.C., Stracciolini, A., Elbin, R.J., & Collins, M.W. (2013). Symptom severity predicts prolonged recovery after sport-related concussion, but age and amnesia do not. The Journal of Pediatrics, 163, 721-725.
  • Moreau, M.S., Langdon, J., & Buckley, T.A. (2014). The lived experience of an in-season concussion amongst NCAA division I student-athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science, 7(1), 62-74.
  • Moser, R.S., Glatts, C., & Schatz, P. (2012). Efficacy of immediate and delayed cognitive and physical rest for treatment of sports-related concussion. The Journal of Pediatrics, 161, 5, 922-926.
  • Moser, R.S., Schatz, P., & Jordan, B.D. (2005). Prolonged effects of concussion in high school athletes. Neurosurgery, 57(2), 300-306.
  • NCAA (2014a). Concussion guidelines: Diagnosis and management of sport-related concussion guidelines. NCAA.com. Retrieved from http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/concussion-guidelines
  • NCAA (2014b, July 29). NCAA reaches proposed settlement in concussion lawsuit. NCAA.com. Retrieved from https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/press-releases/ncaa-reaches-proposed-settlement-concussion-lawsuit
  • Pellman, E.J., Lovell, M.R., Viano, D.C., & Casson, I.R. (2006). Concussion in professional football: Recovery of NFL and high school athletes assessed by computerized neuropsychological testing. Part 12, Neurosurgery, 58(2), 263-274.
  • Popoli, D.M., Burns, T.G., Meehan III, W.P., & Reisner, A. (2014). CHOA concussion consensus: establishing a uniform policy for academic accommodations. Clinical Pediatrics, 53(3), 217-224.
  • Porter, K.K., Constantinidou, F., & Marron, K.H. (2014). Speech-language pathology and concussion management in intercollegiate athletics: The Miami University Concussion Management Program. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 23(4), 507-519.
  • Sady, M.D., Vaughan, C.G., & Gioia, G.A. (2011). School and the concussed youth: recommendations for concussion education and management. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 22(4), 701-719.
  • Sandel, N.K., Lovell, M.R., Kegel, N.E., Collins, M.W., & Kontos, A.P. (2013). The relationship of symptoms and neurocognitive performance to perceived recovery from sports-related concussion among adolescent athletes. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 2(1), 64-69.
  • Silverberg, N.D., & Iverson, G.I. (2013) Is rest after concussion “the best medicine?”: Recommendations for activity resumption following concussion in athletes, civilians, and military service members. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 28(4), 250-259.
  • Sirmon-Taylor, B., & Salvatore, A.P. (2012). Consideration of the federal guidelines for academic services for student-athletes with sports-related concussion. Perspectives on School-Based Issues, Special Interest Group, 16(13), 70-79.
  • Solomon, G.S., Johnston, K.M., & Lovell, M.R. (2006). The heads-up on sport concussion. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  • Strauss, B. (2016, May 17). Six concussion suits are filed against colleges and N.C.A.A. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/sports/ncaafootball/six-head-injury-suits-filed-in-new-front-against-colleges-and-ncaa.html
  • Sullivan, S.J., Alla, S., Lee, H., Scheiders, A.G., Ahmed, O.H., & McCrory, P.R. (2011). The understanding of the concept of ‘rest’ in the management of a sports concussion by physical therapy students: A descriptive study. Physical Therapy in Sport, 13(4), 209-213.
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2013). Sports-related concussion: Helping student athletes succeed in school. Retrieved from http://www.upmc.com/services/sportsmedicine/services/concussion/pages/academicconsiderations.aspx
  • Valentine, V., & Logan, K. (2012, January). Cognitive rest in concussion management. American Family Physician, 15: 85(2), 100-101.
  • Willer, B., & Leddy, J.L. (2006). Management of concussion and post concussion syndrome. Current Treatment Options in Neurology, 8, 415-426.
  • Zarshenas, M.M., Mehdizadeh, A., Zargaran, A., & Mohagheghzadeh, A. (2012). Rhazes (865-925 AD). Journal of Neurology, 259(5), 1001-1002.

Discover more from International Journal of Sport Management

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading