OU Researchers Expand Understanding of Concussions Beyond the Playing Field

When most people think about concussions, they picture football players, hockey athletes, or other competitors suffering hard hits during competition. Researchers at Ohio University are working to broaden that conversation, examining how repeated head impacts affect not only athletes, but also performers such as dancers, stunt professionals, and circus artists.

Melissa Anderson, an assistant professor of exercise physiology, focuses on the long-term effects of concussions and repeated head impacts.

Her research explores how concussion history can affect balance, reaction time, movement patterns, and injury risk long after symptoms appear to resolve.

By studying subtle neurological changes, Anderson hopes to improve return-to-play decisions and reduce the risk of future injuries.

At the same time, Associate Professor of Athletic Training Jeff Russell has spent years advocating for performing artists, a population often overlooked in concussion research. His work has examined concussion risks among stunt performers, dancers, theater artists, and circus professionals who regularly face physical demands similar to those seen in sports.

Russell recently collaborated on a groundbreaking study examining concussion patterns among Cirque du Soleil performers over a 10-year period. He is also working with researchers at the Boston University CTE Center to better understand the long-term effects of repeated head impacts among stunt performers.

Beyond research, Ohio University is preparing the next generation of Athletic Trainers through hands-on clinical experiences, concussion education, and specialized programs such as the SHAPe Clinic, which provides healthcare services for performing artists.

Together, these efforts highlight an important message: concussions are more than a sports issue. Through research, education, and clinical care, Ohio University faculty are helping improve concussion prevention and management for athletes and performers alike. Check out the whole article here!