Concussion education is everywhere these days. It is in posters, preseason handouts, mandatory training modules, and even the media.
But are these education materials actually making youth sports safer?
A recent research study (Pennock, K., & McKenzie, B. (2025)) suggests that the answer may be no.
Researchers interviewed 28 youth athletes aged 13 to 18 across various sports. They found that while most athletes were familiar with concussion symptoms and protocols, their knowledge did not necessarily translate into safer behaviors.
So where is the disconnect between concussion education and implementation? And more importantly, what can youth sports organizations do about it?
The Current Limitations in Concussion Education
The research study uncovered three key limitations in current education approaches:
1. Athletes already know the concussion basics.
Participants could easily list concussion symptoms like dizziness and nausea and explain basic return-to-play procedures. However, knowing what a concussion is did not stop the athletes from hiding injuries during big games or ignoring symptoms to keep playing. One athlete interviewed in the research study said: “I can’t, I have a big tournament this weekend, so I just let it go.”
2. Fear-based education is not working as intended.
Many athletes recalled learning about concussions through worst-case scenarios or dramatic media portrayals. While some athletes said that they really remembered these stories, others felt overwhelmed or desensitized by them. For some, fear created anxiety around concussions, rather than safer decision-making.
3. Education is not reaching everyone equally.
Athletes from more privileged schools had better access to information and healthcare, such as access to athletic trainers. Other athletes relied on general practitioners or vague advice. This highlights major gaps in equity, especially for athletes without access to trained medical professionals or school support systems.
Key Takeaway
The main takeaway from this research is that concussion education alone is not enough to change behavior and improve safety outcomes for youth athletes.
What Can Be Done?
The focus needs to shift from informing athletes to protecting them. The authors of the research study called for a shift toward primary prevention strategies through clear, enforceable policies and rule changes. This could include:
- Implementing standardized return-to-play protocols across teams, leagues, and sport organizations
- Mandating baseline testing and follow-up assessments
- Auditing whether concussion policies are in place and followed appropriately
- Embedding concussion education into sport culture through peer-led initiatives and team discussions, not just static materials like preseason handouts
Most importantly, these efforts must be equity-driven. Access to safe sport should not depend on location, specific demographics, school funding, or parental involvement.
Conclusion
This research showed that youth athletes have decent concussion awareness, but they are lacking the support needed to make safe choices around concussions. While education certainly plays a role, it is not enough on its own. Education must be part of a broader prevention strategy that includes strong policies, consistent enforcement, and cultural changes within sports.
Sport organizations should invest in systems that hold everyone involved accountable. When it comes to concussions, knowledge alone won’t keep athletes safe, but policy has the potential to really make some change.
HEADCHECK Health is Here to Help!
We have found that policy is effective when regularly audited and adhered to. We offer compliance and audits for sports organizations at all levels to keep your athletes safe. Contact us today to learn more.
References
Pennock, K., & McKenzie, B. (2025). Risk, Responsibility, and Prevention in Injury Management: Implications of Concussion (mis)education on Youth Athlete Knowledge Uptake. Communication & Sport, 13(4), 800-819. https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251321759 (Original work published 2025)
- Concussion Education Alone Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Prevention in Youth Sports - July 22, 2025
- Baseline Concussion Testing Checklist - March 10, 2025
- Concussion Recovery at Risk: Why Are Kids Avoiding Follow-Up Care? - March 10, 2025
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