Background: Sports-related traumatic brain injury is an important public health concern that is often labeled as a silent epidemic. Soccer is a contact sport that may lead to concussion. The prevalence of soccer-related concussion in our region is not known. The aim of this study is to determine the occurrence of concussion among amateur adult male soccer players. Material and methodology: In August 2018, at King Abdulaziz Univesity, this cross-sectional study was conducted among amateur soccer players living in different regions of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using a self-administered Google form questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed demographic data, symptoms, knowledge, and awareness of concussion and its long-term complications. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables (e.g., age). The prevalence of concussion among our targeted population was given as a percentage with 95% confidence level. The correlation between different variables was calculated. Results: In July 2018 a total of 437 players in Jeddah city participated. The mean age of the participants was 24.39 years old (SD 5.97 years). The most common age for first concussion was between 15-19 years old (n=50, 73.5%). The mean age of first concussion was 18.3 years old (SD 5.1 years). First concussions occurred during a training match 46 (67.6%) and a competitive match 22 (32.4%). Fifty-five (80.9%) reported the most common symptom, headache. Twenty-two (32.4%) concussed players returned to play within an hour after injury. There was no significant correlation between positions of players in the field and concussions (r=.072, n=437, p=.132). Thirty-seven (54.4%) previously concussed players reported sleep disturbance and 39 (57.4%) concentration difficulty. Conclusion: The prevalence of concussion among amateur male soccer players in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is higher than in other regions. Concussed players may suffer from short- as well as long-term consequences. Educational programs and legislative reform are needed to reduce these possible consequences.

Keywords: Soccer; Concussion; Amateurs; Jeddah; Saudi Arabia.