Female soccer players more likely to have medical assessments after head trauma

TORONTO — Half of female soccer players who suffered a head-collision event received medical assessments, compared to a third of male players, according to a Canadian study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association today.

The study did not find significant differences in the numbers of female players removed from play at world-class tournaments compared with male players.

The neurosurgeon that led the study at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto believes female soccer players are more likely to self-report concussion symptoms, leading to more medical assessments for the women.

The median time that play was stopped for a medical assessment in women’s tournaments was 70 seconds compared to about 50 seconds in men’s matches.

Researchers pointed out a minimum of 10 minutes is required to perform a concussion assessment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2020.

The Canadian Press