TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of and Attitudes About Concussion in Irish Schools' Rugby Union Players
AU - Delahunty, Sinéad E.
AU - Delahunt, Eamonn
AU - Condon, Brian
AU - Toomey, David
AU - Blake, Catherine
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, American School Health Association.
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Youth rugby players represent 45.2% (N=69,472) of the Irish rugby union playing population. The risk and consequences of concussion injury are of particular concern in these young athletes, but limited epidemiological data exists. This study investigated annual and lifetime prevalence of concussion in an Irish schoolboy rugby union cohort. METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional survey of youth rugby players was conducted. Diagnosed concussion was defined as an incident where diagnosis was confirmed by a health professional or coach. Demographics, prevalence, and attitudes to concussion were collated. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 304 youth (aged 12-18years) responded. Lifetime prevalence of diagnosed concussion was 19.4%, with annual (2010) prevalence 6.6%. Approximately 25.4% of players with diagnosed concussions returned to play without medical advice. Internal motivation (11.8%) was the predominant factor in feeling pressure to play while concussed. A desire for further concussion education was expressed by 89.5% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Reform is required to prevent and manage concussion injuries among youth players in the rugby union, including mandatory education specific to concussion and implementation of return-to-play protocols. These findings have relevance for governing bodies, coaches, clinicians, schools, parents, and rugby union players.
AB - Youth rugby players represent 45.2% (N=69,472) of the Irish rugby union playing population. The risk and consequences of concussion injury are of particular concern in these young athletes, but limited epidemiological data exists. This study investigated annual and lifetime prevalence of concussion in an Irish schoolboy rugby union cohort. METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional survey of youth rugby players was conducted. Diagnosed concussion was defined as an incident where diagnosis was confirmed by a health professional or coach. Demographics, prevalence, and attitudes to concussion were collated. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 304 youth (aged 12-18years) responded. Lifetime prevalence of diagnosed concussion was 19.4%, with annual (2010) prevalence 6.6%. Approximately 25.4% of players with diagnosed concussions returned to play without medical advice. Internal motivation (11.8%) was the predominant factor in feeling pressure to play while concussed. A desire for further concussion education was expressed by 89.5% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Reform is required to prevent and manage concussion injuries among youth players in the rugby union, including mandatory education specific to concussion and implementation of return-to-play protocols. These findings have relevance for governing bodies, coaches, clinicians, schools, parents, and rugby union players.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Concussion
KW - Health communication
KW - Rugby
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84913610261&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/josh.12219
DO - 10.1111/josh.12219
M3 - Article
C2 - 25440449
AN - SCOPUS:84913610261
SN - 0022-4391
VL - 85
SP - 17
EP - 26
JO - Journal of School Health
JF - Journal of School Health
IS - 1
ER -