Are Former Athletes with Histories of Multiple Concussions at Increased Risk of Stroke Compared to Former Athletes with No Concussion History
Date
3-6-2026
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Savage Burgett, Kinesiology
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Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
2:45-2:55pm | Merrill Hall
Description
Context: The long-term neurological consequences of concussions have gained increased attention as more athletes report histories of repetitive head impacts. As a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, stroke is increasingly being investigated for its potential association with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), such as concussions. This critically appraised topic will investigate whether a history of multiple concussions increases the risk of stroke in former athletes compared to those with no concussion history.
Methods: A computerized search was completed in October 2025. The search terms used were “concussion”, “stroke”, “athletes”, “traumatic brain injury”, and “cerebrovascular risk.” Electronic databases used were PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion Criteria studies were included if they: were published in peer-reviewed journals, written in English, included adult former athletes or individuals with a documented history of concussion or mild TBI. Exclusion Criteria ruled the studies out that focused solely on moderate or severe TBI without stratification for concussion or mild TBI, included pediatrics populations only, did not report stroke or cerebrovascular-related outcomes, or were animal studies, editorials, or narrative reviews. Validity of the selected studies was determined using the PEDro Scale for randomized and controlled trials and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational cohort and case-control studies. Diagnostic accuracy studies, when applicable, were evaluated using the QUADAS-2 checklist. One author independently appraised each study, with final quality determinations reached through consensus.
Results: The literature search retrieved 790 total articles and 786 were excluded based on the inclusion criteria, resulting in 4 studies. The findings suggested that concussions and repetitive head trauma are associated with increased cerebrovascular vulnerability, particularly through mechanisms such as vascular injury, blood–brain barrier disruption, and impaired cerebral autoregulation. Epidemiological studies consistently showed elevated stroke risk following a TBI, including concussions, while athlete-specific data highlight this concern among those with extensive histories of head impacts.
Conclusions: Although a direct causal relationship cannot be definitively established, the current body of evidence suggests that a history of multiple concussions is associated with an increased risk of long-term cerebrovascular complications, including stroke. These findings support the need for long-term monitoring of vascular and neurological health in former athletes with repeated concussion exposure. Limitations of the available literature include reliance on retrospective self-reported concussion history, heterogeneity in concussion definitions, and limited athlete-specific stroke data. Future research should prioritize prospective, athlete-focused longitudinal studies that control cardiovascular risk factors and quantify cumulative head impact exposure. For the athletic training profession, these findings underscore the importance of concussion prevention strategies, patient education, and long-term health counseling as part of comprehensive athlete care.
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The original presentation of the paper Are Former Athletes with Histories of Multiple Concussions at Increased Risk of Stroke Compared to Former Athletes with No Concussion History was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.
This paper won Best in Category for Best of Showcase
Keywords
student research, kinesiology
Rights
This content is the property of Jacksonville State University and is intended for non-commercial use. Video and images may be copied for personal use, research, teaching or any "fair use" as defined by copyright law. Users are asked to acknowledge Jacksonville State University. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@jsu.edu.
Disciplines
Kinesiotherapy
Recommended Citation
Jones, Devin, "Are Former Athletes with Histories of Multiple Concussions at Increased Risk of Stroke Compared to Former Athletes with No Concussion History" (2026). JSU Student Symposium 2026. 3.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2026/3