Epidemiologia das concussões no futebol profissional masculino: uma análise exploratória integrando literatura cinzenta das principais ligas globais

Abstract

The present study addresses the epidemiology of concussions in men's professional football, a problem of growing importance given the significant impact of these injuries on athletes' health. This research is based on an exploratory analysis that integrates grey literature data from world-renowned leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Campeonato Brasileiro, covering the period from 2017/2018 to 2024/2025. The data was publicly available (Transfermarkt.com, Hamburg/Germany). A total of 18,475 injury related medical reports were collected, of which 762 cases were concussions. The incidence of concussions per team was 1.04 (95%CI: 0.96, 1.11) per 1.000 horas of athlete-exposure, with a burden rate of 14.9 (IQR: 5, 17) days lost per 1.000 horas of athlete-exposure. The stratified analysis by country revealed a high prevalence of concussions in England, where 43.2 per cent of all reported cases were reported, followed by Germany (21.8 per cent) and Spain (13.6 per cent). Almost half of the concussions resulted in absences considered ‘moderate severity’, which means between 8 and 28 days away. The research also highlights the vulnerability of defensive players, who had the highest rate of concussions. This finding emphasises the urgency of implementing specific interventions, such as training that prioritises safety and injury management. In addition, the study demonstrates the need for rigorous protocols to monitor and manage concussions, along with awareness programmes aimed at both players and coaches. These initiatives are essential to create an environment that allows for the recognition and proper treatment of concussions, minimising premature return to play and enhancing the long term health of athletes. Finally, the variations in concussion rates between different leagues raise important questions about social, cultural and organisational factors that can influence the prevalence of these injuries. Therefore, the study concludes that a more consistent and proactive approach to data collection, as well as increased awareness of the seriousness of concussion in sport and consideration of the competitive dynamics of this sport, its rules and specific protocols for intervening in cases of suspected concussion, are important to promote the health and safety of professional players and all amateurs who practice this sport.