Concussion Benchmarking Report: Higher Education

Concussions present a high-level risk to United Educators’ (UE’s) members, and efforts to protect student-athletes are continually evolving. Actions and best practices taken before, during, and after a concussion can help to mitigate the injury and protect student athletes’ health.

In 2019, 448 higher education members participated in a UE survey about practices related to concussions and athletics. Data revealed trends showing both common protective practices and opportunities for improvement.

• About 90% of the survey’s 448 respondents provide annual education to athletes, coaches, and athletic health care providers on concussion prevention and treatment practices.
• About 55% of respondents require baseline testing for varsity sports, only about 18% require baseline testing for all sports including varsity and club.
• The most common considerations for permanent retirement of student-athletes are when successive concussive injuries require successively longer recovery time (87.2%) and with evidence that a head or neck injury would increase the risk of future concussions (87.2%).