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Suzuki K, Nagai S, Nishida S, Iwai K, Takemura M. Reasons for the Reporting Behavior of Japanese Collegiate Rugby Union Players Regarding Suspected Concussion Symptoms: A Propensity Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2569. [PMID: 36767935 PMCID: PMC9915167 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While previous research has identified the reasons for the concussion-reporting behavior of rugby union players, the influence of confounding factors such as concussion experience, education, and knowledge of concussion symptoms, any of which may have influenced the results, has not been considered. This study aimed to clarify the reasons for the reporting behavior of college rugby union players regarding suspected concussion symptoms by adjusting for confounding factors using the propensity score. A questionnaire about both concussion knowledge and concussion-reporting behavior was administered to 240 collegiate rugby union players. Of the 208 (86.7%) valid respondents to the questionnaire, 196 (94.2%) had experienced any one symptom of a suspected concussion, such as headache, at least once, and 137 (65.9%) reported symptoms to someone else. This study's results revealed two important reasons for reporting symptoms: (1) the willingness of players to report experienced symptoms to someone else, along with realizing a concussion, and (2) the willingness of players to report suspected concussion symptoms, despite the absence of a doctor or trainer. These results suggest that providing educational opportunities to recognize suspected concussion symptoms and establishing a team culture of reporting physical problems to someone else is important for improving concussion-reporting behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Suzuki
- Faculty of Health and Sports, Nagoya Gakuin University, 1350 Kamishinano, Seto, Aichi 480-1298, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagai
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba International University, 6-8-33 Manabe, Tsuchiura, Ibaraki 300-0051, Japan
| | - Satoru Nishida
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Ryutsu Keizai University, 120 Hirahata, Ryugasaki, Ibaraki 301-8555, Japan
| | - Koichi Iwai
- Center for Humanities and Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0394, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takemura
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8574, Japan
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Schmidt JD, Broglio SP, Knight K, Leeds D, Lynall RC, D'Lauro C, Register-Mihalik J, Kroshus E, McCrea M, McAllister TW, Kerr ZY, Hoy A, Kelly L, Master C, Ortega J, Port N, Campbell CD, Svoboda CSJ, Putukian M, Chrisman SPD, Langford D, McGinty G, Jackson JC, Cameron KL, James Susmarski A, DiFiori J, Goldman JT, Benjamin H, Buckley T, Kaminski T, Clugston JR, O'Donnell PG, Feigenbaum L, Eckner JT, Mihalik JP, Anderson S, Kontos A, Brooks MA, Miles C, Lintner L. Optimizing Concussion Care Seeking: A Longitudinal Analysis of Recovery. Am J Sports Med 2023; 51:214-224. [PMID: 36412549 DOI: 10.1177/03635465221135771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately half of concussions go undisclosed and therefore undiagnosed. Among diagnosed concussions, 51% to 64% receive delayed medical care. Understanding the influence of undiagnosed concussions and delayed medical care would inform medical and education practices. PURPOSE To compare postconcussion longitudinal clinical outcomes among (1) individuals with no concussion history, all previous concussions diagnosed, and ≥1 previous concussion undiagnosed, as well as (2) those who have delayed versus immediate symptom onset, symptom reporting, and removal from activity after concussion. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS Participants included 2758 military academy cadets and intercollegiate athletes diagnosed with concussion in the CARE Consortium. We determined (1) each participant's previous concussion diagnosis status self-reported at baseline (no history, all diagnosed, ≥1 undiagnosed) and (2) whether the participant had delayed or immediate symptom onset, symptom reporting, and removal from activity. We compared symptom severities, cognition, balance, and recovery duration at baseline, 24 to 48 hours, date of asymptomatic status, and date of unrestricted return to activity using tests of parallel profiles. RESULTS The ≥1 undiagnosed concussion group had higher baseline symptom burdens (P < .001) than the other 2 groups and poorer baseline verbal memory performance (P = .001) than the all diagnosed group; however, they became asymptomatic and returned to activity sooner than those with no history. Cadets/athletes who delayed symptom reporting had higher symptom burdens 24 to 48 hours after injury (mean ± SE; delayed, 28.8 ± 0.8; immediate, 20.6 ± 0.7), took a median difference of 2 days longer to become asymptomatic, and took 3 days longer to return to activity than those who had immediate symptom reporting. For every 30 minutes of continued participation after injury, days to asymptomatic status increased 8.1% (95% CI, 0.3%-16.4%). CONCLUSION Clinicians should expect that cadets/athletes who delay reporting concussion symptoms will have acutely higher symptom burdens and take 2 days longer to become asymptomatic. Educational messaging should emphasize the clinical benefits of seeking immediate care for concussion-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne D Schmidt
- UGA Concussion Research Laboratory and Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Steven P Broglio
- Michigan Concussion Center and School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kristen Knight
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel Leeds
- Computer and Information Sciences, Fordham University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert C Lynall
- UGA Concussion Research Laboratory and Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher D'Lauro
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Johna Register-Mihalik
- Matthew Gfeller Research Center and STAR Heel Performance Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emily Kroshus
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, and Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael McCrea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tom W McAllister
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Zachary Y Kerr
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - April Hoy
- School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California, USA
| | - Louise Kelly
- Department of Exercise Science, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Christina Master
- Division of Orthopedics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Justus Ortega
- Department of Kinesiology and Recreation Administration, Humboldt State University, Humbolt, California, USA
| | - Nicholas Port
- School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Margot Putukian
- Athletic Medicine, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sara P D Chrisman
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dianne Langford
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gerald McGinty
- United States Air Force Academy, Air Force Academy, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Kenneth L Cameron
- Keller Army Hospital, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA
| | - Adam James Susmarski
- Department Head Brigade Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - John DiFiori
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joshua T Goldman
- Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Holly Benjamin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas Buckley
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Thomas Kaminski
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - James R Clugston
- Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Luis Feigenbaum
- Department of Physical Therapy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - James T Eckner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jason P Mihalik
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Anthony Kontos
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Alison Brooks
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christopher Miles
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Laura Lintner
- Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.,Investigation performed at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Daly E, Blackett AD, Pearce AJ, Ryan L. Protect the Player, Protect the Game: Reflections from Ex-Professional Rugby Union Players on Law Changes, Protective Equipment, and Duty of Care in the Professional Game. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2022; 7:jfmk7040091. [PMID: 36278752 PMCID: PMC9624300 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk7040091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The emphasis of this study was to interview ex-professional male rugby union players (n = 23, mean age 35.5 ± 4.7 years) and discuss concussion management during their careers. In this study, two major themes were identified: (1) the duty of care to professional rugby union players by medical personnel, coaching staff, and owners of professional clubs and (2) the use of protective equipment and law changes to enhance player safety. In total, twenty-three ex-professional rugby union players were interviewed, and the majority (61%) had represented their countries at international test-level rugby. These interviews highlighted the belief that medical teams should be objective, independent entities within a professional rugby club. Furthermore, medical teams should not be in a position of being pressurised by head coaches, members of the coaching team, or club owners regarding return-to-play (RTP) protocols specific to concussion. The interviewees believed that they were pressured by coaches or members of the coaching team to play with concussion or concussive symptoms and other physical injuries. The results indicated that they had manipulated concussion testing themselves or with assistance to pass standard concussion testing protocols. The interviewees indicated that club owners have a duty of care to players even in retirement due to the high incidence of physical and mental injuries endured as a professional rugby player. Most participants indicated that a reduction in match playing time and reducing the amount of time engaged in contact training (workload volume) may assist in reducing concussion incidence. The participants suggested that changes to the current laws of the game or the use of protective equipment did not mitigate against concussion risk in the game of rugby union. The main limitation to the study is that participants had retired in the past ten years, and conditions for players may have changed. This study has highlighted that additional efforts are required by professional clubs to ensure the highest duty of care is delivered to current players and recently retired players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ed Daly
- School of Science & Computing, Atlantic Technological University, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland
| | - Alexander D. Blackett
- School of Life Sciences and Education, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, UK
| | - Alan J. Pearce
- College of Sport, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Lisa Ryan
- School of Science & Computing, Atlantic Technological University, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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Daly E, White A, Blackett AD, Ryan L. Pressure. A Qualitative Analysis of the Perception of Concussion and Injury Risk in Retired Professional Rugby Players. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2021; 6:jfmk6030078. [PMID: 34564197 PMCID: PMC8482162 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk6030078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study interviewed retired professional rugby union players (≤10 years since retirement) to discuss their careers in the game of rugby union. The primary aim of the study was to document their understanding of concussion knowledge and the analogies they use to describe concussion. In addition, these interviews were used to determine any explicit and implicit pressures of playing professional rugby as described by ex-professional rugby players. Overall, 23 retired professional rugby players were interviewed. The participants had played the game of rugby union (n = 23) at elite professional standard. A semi-structured individual interview design was conducted with participants between June to August 2020. The research team reviewed the transcripts to identify the major themes from the interviews using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Four major themes were identified: (1) medical and theoretical understanding of concussion, (2) descriptions of concussion and disassociated language, (3) personal concussion experience, and (4) peer influences on concussion within the sport. These were further divided into categories and subcategories. The interviews highlighted that players did not fully understand the ramifications of concussive injury and other injury risk, as it became normalised as part of their sport. This normalisation was supported by trivialising the seriousness of concussions and using dismissive language amongst themselves as players, or with coaching staff. As many of these ex-professional players are currently coaching rugby (48%), these interviews could assist coaches in treating concussion as a significant injury and not downplaying the seriousness of concussion in contact sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ed Daly
- School of Science & Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland;
| | - Adam White
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
| | - Alexander D. Blackett
- School of Life Sciences and Education, Staffordshire University, Staffordshire ST4 2DE, UK;
| | - Lisa Ryan
- School of Science & Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland;
- Correspondence:
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