Prevention, on-site management, and public-health implications of sport-related mild traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents: A mixed-method study

Sport-related mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are a significant health concern for children and adolescents, particularly in sports contact. Frequent collisions, falls, and impacts increase the risk of mTBI, leading to cognitive, emotional, and physical alterations. Despite growing awareness, limited European data, including Switzerland, hinder effective prevention and management strategies. This study aimed to: (1) assess the incidence of sport-related mTBI among Swiss children and adolescents and evaluate health education and communication activities; (2) explore stakeholder perspectives on awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of mTBI prevention and on-site management; (3) develop recommendations for education and communication measures tailored to Switzerland. This study applied a participatory action research (PAR) approach with multiple stakeholder groups across Switzerland. Data were collected via email correspondence, interviews, and focus groups with nine stakeholder organizations and 44 participants, including public health specialists, healthcare providers, communication science specialists, coaches, parents, and young athletes. Findings highlight a lack of comprehensive data, underdeveloped prevention measures, management delays, absence of coordinated policies, and limited school involvement in prevention education. Urgent action is needed to: (1) improve data collection and monitoring, (2) strengthen prevention policies, (3) enhance timely management, and (4) integrate schools into sport-related mTBI prevention efforts.