SHORT REPORT

High school rugby players’ understanding of concussion and return to play guidelines

Garry Sye¹, S John Sullivan², Paul McCrory³

¹ Kennedy Road Physiotherapy, Napier, New Zealand
² University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
³ University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor Sullivan
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; sjohn.sullivan{at}otago.ac.nz

Objective: To document high school players’ understanding and attitudes towards concussion return to play guidelines.

Methods: A questionnaire based survey was performed of national high school rugby players as to their knowledge of existing concussion return to play guidelines.

Results: A total of 600 male players were surveyed, and 477 responded (response rate 80%). Half (237/477) were aware of concussion guidelines, and 60% (288/477) identified the mandated stand down period that is part of the regulations governing rugby football. Players obtained their information primarily from: teachers/coaches (239 responses), medical personnel (200), and other players (116). Of those players who suspected that they had been concussed (296/477, 62%), only 66 returned to play after medical clearance.

Conclusions and implications: This sample of high school players showed a limited knowledge of the concussion guidelines covering their sport, and even when concussed did not follow recommended protocols. This indicates the need for an increased focus on player education.

Keywords: rugby; schoolboy; concussion; guidelines; return to play

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Commentary

C Milne⁴

⁴ Anglesea Sports Medicine, Hamilton, New Zealand; chris{at}angleseaphysioandsports.co.nz

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