Professional soccer players and other athletes who suffer concussion are more likely to report anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance after their career, according to new research.
In a study supported by FIFPro, 576 former first-division footballers, ice hockey and rugby players from Finland, France, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, it was found that during the first 10 years after retirement, players are seven to 11% more likely to report symptoms of common mental disorders for each additional career-related concussion.
Former athletes reporting a history of four or five sports career-related concussions are nearly 1.5 times more likely to report symptoms of CMD, and athletes with a history of six or more sports career-related concussions are 2–5 times more likely to report symptoms of CMD.
The findings confirm the urge to protect athletes from concussions during their career and to increase the quality of concussion management at professional sports level.
The study was carried out by FIFPro Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge and sports medicine experts from the University of Cape Town (South Africa), St. Marianna University School of Medicine in Kawazaki (Japan) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow (Scotland).
The experts emphasize the need to improve management of concussion, especially by educating players and coaches on the correct procedure when concussion occurs.
“This is an important piece of research that suggests concussion might be a contributor to the mental health problems suffered by many players,” Dr. Gouttebarge said.
“We as football stakeholders – federations, clubs and player unions - need to be alert to the mental health of players, both during and after their careers.
“That means educating players about the dangers of what can be an intense and stressful career and supporting them when they need assistance.”
The full report is available here. A blog post on the research from Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge is here.
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