The relationship between concussion and alcohol consumption among university athletes.

Introduction: This study investigated concussion as a potential risk factor for increased alcohol consumption in university athletes.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 41 university students (37% with a history of concussion) completed self-report measures, while electrodermal activation (EDA) was recorded for each participant to capture baseline physiological arousal.

Results: As expected, concussion status significantly predicted alcohol consumption over and above athletic status, b  = 0.34, p  = 0.034, 95% CI [0.195, 4.832], such that those with a prior concussion history engaged in greater alcohol consumption. Importantly, concussion status also significantly predicted baseline physiological arousal, b  = -0.39, p  = 0.014, 95% CI [-0.979, -0.120], such that those with a history of concussion exhibited lower EDA.

Conclusions: Elevated alcohol consumption among athletes is a pronounced associate of concussion in sports and may be a behavioral reflection of disruption to the orbitofrontal cortex - an area implicated in inhibition.