TY - CONF

T1 - Head Sense: Concussion knowledge and attitude in U18 international female rugby union players

AU - Studt, Steffi

AU - Mullins, Paul

AU - Owen, Julian

PY - 2024/7/8

Y1 - 2024/7/8

N2 - Female rugby union players are more susceptible to concussion and have prolonged concussive symptoms compared to their male counterparts. To ensure prompt diagnosis and effective concussion management it is important that players report concussion or symptoms of concussion at occurrence of injury. The aim of the current study was to identify under-18-women players knowledge of concussion, as well as their intention to report. A modified version of the RoCKAS-ST was used to measure concussion knowledge and attitudes in 103 female rugby union players between the ages of 16-18 during the Women’s U18’s Six Nations Festival 2024. Thirty-seven percent of players (n=38) were found to have sustained at least one concussion whilst playing rugby, with 58% (n=22) of players sustaining their injury in the last year. Of those who reported their concussion (n=29), 65.5% (n=19) reported the concussion during the game/training, and 34.5% (n=10) reported after the game/training. Eighteen percent of players (n=7) did not report their injury. Seventy-six percent of players (n=29) who sustained a concussion followed return-to-play guidelines. Concussion knowledge CK was measured using 15 true/false questions and 3 scenarios, overall scores could range from 0-18. Analysis identified an overall CK score M=14.8, with Irish players demonstrating highest scores (M=15.3) and Italian players the lowest (M=14.2). Interestingly, Irish players had the highest concussion rates (42%), and Italian players the lowest (17%) which may reflect better understanding of symptoms rather than actual injury. When directly asked “I intend to report symptoms of a concussion”, seventy-four percent of players agreed (n= 76). Overall, players demonstrated positive knowledge and intention, however further research should identify factors which influence players intention to report. The findings from this study will also guide further research into understanding differences in concussion knowledge, attitudes and behavior based on age, gender, and level of play.

AB - Female rugby union players are more susceptible to concussion and have prolonged concussive symptoms compared to their male counterparts. To ensure prompt diagnosis and effective concussion management it is important that players report concussion or symptoms of concussion at occurrence of injury. The aim of the current study was to identify under-18-women players knowledge of concussion, as well as their intention to report. A modified version of the RoCKAS-ST was used to measure concussion knowledge and attitudes in 103 female rugby union players between the ages of 16-18 during the Women’s U18’s Six Nations Festival 2024. Thirty-seven percent of players (n=38) were found to have sustained at least one concussion whilst playing rugby, with 58% (n=22) of players sustaining their injury in the last year. Of those who reported their concussion (n=29), 65.5% (n=19) reported the concussion during the game/training, and 34.5% (n=10) reported after the game/training. Eighteen percent of players (n=7) did not report their injury. Seventy-six percent of players (n=29) who sustained a concussion followed return-to-play guidelines. Concussion knowledge CK was measured using 15 true/false questions and 3 scenarios, overall scores could range from 0-18. Analysis identified an overall CK score M=14.8, with Irish players demonstrating highest scores (M=15.3) and Italian players the lowest (M=14.2). Interestingly, Irish players had the highest concussion rates (42%), and Italian players the lowest (17%) which may reflect better understanding of symptoms rather than actual injury. When directly asked “I intend to report symptoms of a concussion”, seventy-four percent of players agreed (n= 76). Overall, players demonstrated positive knowledge and intention, however further research should identify factors which influence players intention to report. The findings from this study will also guide further research into understanding differences in concussion knowledge, attitudes and behavior based on age, gender, and level of play.

KW - TBI

KW - Sport-related concussion

KW - Injury prevention

KW - Sport injury

M3 - Poster

T2 - UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (UKCCIIS) conference

Y2 - 8 July 2024 through 9 July 2024

ER -