A Review of Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation in Sports ^†

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), characterized by changes in brain function due to external forces, is an important challenge. In the sports context, TBI is responsible for a significant number of disabilities and deaths, which highlights the need for an adequate and efficient assessment of the extent of trauma. This study aims to analyze the tools for assessing TBI in sports in order to evaluate its therapeutic and prognostic value. Methodology: This study conducted a normative review of the literature through national and international journals from the PubMed, Scielo, and ScienceDirect databases based on the selection of recent publications (2016 to 2025) on the clinical and social context of sports TBI. Results: Clinical evaluation, scales/scores, and imaging exams are essential for the evaluation and prediction of the course of injuries caused by TBI. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), for example, assesses the patient’s level of consciousness based on ocular, verbal, and motor responses—incorporating, more recently, the pupillary reflex. The score obtained allows the TBI to be classified as mild, moderate, or severe quickly even during sport practice. In addition to imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs, GCS helps health professionals make more accurate clinical decisions and identify secondary impairments. Conclusions: Tools such as GCS and imaging tests are essential for early diagnosis and therapeutic guidance. Its proper use contributes to reducing complications, optimizing costs, and improving the quality of life of patients.