Dr. Sasser's research primarily centers on two main areas: the safety of athletes during sports and effective pain management after surgical procedures. He investigates how concussions occur in football, identifying which players are at the highest risk and how often these injuries happen during games. Additionally, he explores the implications of COVID-19 for high school athletes, revealing how many cases are linked to community transmission rather than sports activities. Furthermore, his studies on injections around the knee and hip joints aim to improve post-surgery recovery by ensuring that patients receive the most effective pain relief.
Key findings
In his COVID-19 study, Dr. Sasser reported 32.6 COVID-19 cases for every 100,000 athlete-days in Wisconsin high school athletes, with only 0.5% of cases linked to playing sports.
In the football concussion analysis, he found that main ball handlers experienced 0.22 concussions per game, demonstrating they are 16.2 times more likely to suffer a concussion than other players.
The video analysis of college football concussions revealed 44 concussions over nine seasons, identifying defensive backs, wide receivers, and running backs as the most affected positions.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Sasser study concussions in athletes?
Yes, he focuses on how concussions occur in sports, particularly in football, and identifies which players are at the highest risk.
What does Dr. Sasser's COVID-19 research reveal?
His study showed that most COVID-19 infections among high school athletes were tied to community spread rather than participation in sports.
How can Dr. Sasser's research help after joint surgery?
He studies the best methods for injecting pain relief around knee and hip joints, which can significantly improve recovery for patients after surgeries.
Publications in plain English
Reported COVID-19 Incidence in Wisconsin High School Athletes in Fall 2020.
2022
Journal of athletic training
Sasser P, McGuine TA, Haraldsdottir K, Biese KM, Goodavish L +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how common COVID-19 was among high school athletes in Wisconsin in the fall of 2020, focusing on the impacts of different sports and whether athletes wore face masks. They found that there were 32.6 COVID-19 cases for every 100,000 athlete-days, with most cases tied to community transmission rather than sports activities itself—only 0.5% came from playing sports. The researchers discovered no significant differences in infection rates between different types of sports or for athletes who wore masks.
Who this helps: This information helps schools and sports organizations understand the risks of COVID-19 for student athletes.
Are you missing a concussion by watching American football? Video analysis of ball location in a Division 1 football program.
2021
Brain injury
Kent JB, Sasser P, Austin AV, MacKnight JM
Plain English This study looked at how often concussions happen in football games, especially focusing on the players who handle the ball or make tackles. Researchers analyzed video from games over ten seasons and found that the main ball handlers and tacklers had a higher rate of concussions—0.22 concussions per game compared to 0.13 for other players—meaning they are at a 16.2 times greater risk of a concussion than players not directly involved. Understanding these risks can help medical staff spot concussions faster and could support the need for changes in game rules to protect players better.
Who this helps: This helps athletes, coaches, and medical staff in sports.
Video Analysis of Concussion Exposures in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Team.
2020
Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine
Austin AV, Sasser P, Tanabe K, MacKnight JM, Kent JB
Plain English This study analyzed video footage from a college football team to understand how and where concussions happen during games. Over nine seasons, researchers found that 44 concussions occurred, with the highest risk area being the middle defense of the field. Defensive backs, wide receivers, and running backs experienced the most concussions, and players often showed signs of a concussion by touching their helmet or face mask after a hit. Understanding these details can help medical staff better recognize and manage concussions in players.
Who this helps: This benefits athletes, coaches, and medical staff involved in college football.
Periarticular Injections in Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: Where and What to Inject.
2017
The Journal of arthroplasty
Ross JA, Greenwood AC, Sasser P, Jiranek WA
Plain English This study looked at how and where to give injections around the knee and hip joints after surgeries like joint replacements to help manage pain. Researchers found that there are many pain-sensitive areas in the knee, such as the fat pad and ligaments, while the hip has pain fibers mainly around the capsule and labrum. By carefully choosing what to inject and where, surgeons can improve pain management for patients after these surgeries.
Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from knee and hip surgeries.
Jeremy B Kent Ashley V Austin John M MacKnight Timothy A McGuine Kristin Haraldsdottir Kevin M Biese Leslie Goodavish Bethany Stevens Andrew M Watson Kawai Tanabe
Physician data sourced from the
NPPES NPI Registry
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Publication data from
PubMed
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Plain-English summaries generated by AI.
Not medical advice.