A new study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine examined four NFL seasons' games to analyze the variables associated with concussions.
The researchers examined video from 2010-11 through 2013-14 seasons for in game concussions. There were 871 diagnosed concussions during the preseason, regular season and postseason games for the study period. The researchers found:
1. The concussion incidence rate was 0.658 per game, given the 1,324 games played over the study period.
2. Most of the concussions — 57.3 percent — occurred with good anticipation and 59 percent occurred within less than 10 yards of closing distance.
3. The type of play was associated with whether the concussion was anticipated; players were more likely to anticipate injuries on pass plays than on run plays.
4. Seventy-eight percent of the concussions that occurred during kick returns were well-anticipated. Those concussions had the largest proportion of impacts with 10 or fewer yards of closing distance.
5. Helmet-to-helmet, helmet-to-body and helmet-to-ground concussions occurred at an equal pace with the impact location broadly distributed over the injured player's helmet.