Conmebol reveals study on concussions in South American soccer

Conmebol Reveals Detailed Study on Concussions in Men’s Tournaments

The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) has published the results of its first comprehensive study on concussions that occurred in its men’s tournaments between 2022 and 2024. This study represents a significant milestone in regional sports medicine. The report, prepared by the Conmebol Medical Commission, analyzed data from 930 matches, involving 5,928 players between 15 and 44 years old. The main objective was to identify and better understand brain injuries in South American football.

It is a unique opportunity to have centralized all the information of the official matches in the Medical Commission. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of the Conmebol protocol for detecting serious concussions on the field of play.

Osvaldo Pangrazio, President of the Medical Commission

Key Study Results

• 27 cases of concussion were identified that required the immediate substitution of the player.
• 37% of the concussions occurred between the 21st and 45th minutes of the match.
• 60% of the cases affected visiting soccer players.
• 2.6 concussions were recorded per 1,000 hours of play.

In addition to concussions, the study detailed the most frequent injuries in Conmebol tournaments:

• Muscle strains: 121 cases
• Muscle tears: 45 cases
• Ankle sprains: 38 cases
• Mild concussions: 23 cases
• Knee sprains with medial collateral ligament involvement: 23 cases

The study also revealed a variation in the incidence of injuries according to altitude, with an increase in cities located between 1,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level.

Adapted Medical Protocol

The Rapid Concussion Recognition Protocol implemented by Conmebol requires team doctors to complete a form after each match, regardless of whether an injury was recorded or not. This ensures a complete and standardized database. This study is an important step for Conmebol in its commitment to the safety and well-being of footballers, promoting scientific research and the application of advanced medical protocols in its competitions.