Data on Sports and Recreation Activities | HEADS UP

Girls may experience sports-related concussions differently than boys.

Girls have a higher chance for sports-related concussion than boys in sports that use the same rules, like soccer and basketball.

You can protect young female athletes by learning about concussion signs and symptoms, keeping an eye out for unique risks, and advocating for policies that prioritize athlete safety for everyone.

REPORTING: Girls may be more likely to report a sports-related concussion than boys.

SYMPTOMS: Girls are more likely than boys to report severe and long-lasting symptoms following a sports-related concussion.

MENTAL HEALTH: Concussion symptoms that affect mental health are more common in girls.

CARE: Healthcare providers, including athletic trainers, are less likely to be present at the time of girls’ sports-related concussions than boys.

RESEARCH: Fewer research studies focus on sports-related concussion among girls than boys.

Visit cdc.gov/HEADS-UP to learn more.