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Objective Previous research has focused on understanding the symptoms and long-term effects of sport-related concussion (SRC) through quantitative methods. Less is known about the impacts of SRC from the athletes’ perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of SRC symptoms among Canadian varsity athletes. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom teleconferencing. Participants were 11 Canadian university varsity soccer and rugby athletes (M = 20.66 years, SD = 1.43 years; 45% female). All participants had experienced an SRC within the last 26 months. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across athletes’ experiences of SRC symptoms. Results Four unique themes emerged: (1) immediate disorientation, (2) prolonged emotional difficulties, (3) prolonged memory impairments and (4) executive dysfunction. Disorientation was the first SRC symptom experienced by 90% of athletes. Emotional disturbances were experienced throughout recovery with deficits in emotional regulation being the most salient for athletes. Difficulties with short-term and long-term memory were experienced by athletes up to 26 months post-SRC onset. Executive dysfunction manifested primarily as difficulties with planning and decision making. Lastly, long-term difficulties with speech articulation (e.g., stuttering and word-finding) were described as a unique symptom for a small subgroup (36%) of athletes. Conclusions Consistent with the literature, concussed athletes frequently described concerns about long-lasting symptoms and post-concussive difficulties with emotion, memory and executive function. Additional findings captured some nuance from the lived experience of post-concussion symptoms and their effect on athletes’ overall psychosocial functioning.

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