Concussion in female soccer players specificity and management

The popularity of women's soccer continues to rise and thereby injuries increases and moreover specific ones like concussions. A better knowledge of the women specificity when facing a concussion permits a better patient care. An overview of the specificity of the concussion in female soccer players is performed focused on: causes, anatomical specificity of the skull, muscular specificities, specific symptoms, effects of the menstrual cycle and medical care management specificity. Based on all this reflection, we propose recommendations more specific for female soccer players: a specific type of soccer ball for women, increase the penalties of the player who commits the foul, systematic change of player in case of concussion, specific muscle reinforcement, specific training for heading techniques, provide clear information to the whole staff, a medical check-up including cognitive tests, provide an information about the number of days off and interest of oral contraception (advantages/disadvantages/risks). (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.