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International study of video review of concussion in professional sports
  1. Gavin A Davis1,2,
  2. Michael Makdissi1,3,
  3. Paul Bloomfield4,
  4. Patrick Clifton5,
  5. Ruben J Echemendia6,
  6. Éanna Cian Falvey7,
  7. Gordon Ward Fuller7,
  8. Gary Green8,
  9. Peter Rex Harcourt5,
  10. Thomas Hill9,
  11. Nathan McGuirk4,
  12. Willem Meeuwisse6,
  13. John W Orchard9,
  14. Martin Raftery7,
  15. Allen K Sills10,
  16. Gary S Solomon10,11,
  17. Alex Valadka8,
  18. Paul McCrory1
  1. 1 Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2 Neurosurgery Department, Cabrini and Austin Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3 La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. 4 National Rugby League, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  5. 5 Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. 6 National Hockey League, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  7. 7 World Rugby, Dublin, Ireland
  8. 8 Major League Baseball, New York City, New York, USA
  9. 9 Cricket Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  10. 10 National Football League, New York City, New York, USA
  11. 11 Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  1. Correspondence to Professor Gavin A Davis, Suite 53 - Neurosurgery, Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia; gavin.davis{at}me.com

Abstract

Background Video review has become an important tool in professional sporting codes to help sideline identification and management of players with a potential concussion.

Aim To assess current practices related to video review of concussion in professional sports internationally, and compare protocols and diagnostic criteria used to identify and manage potential concussions.

Methods Current concussion management guidelines from professional national and international sporting codes were reviewed. Specific criteria and definitions of video signs associated with concussion were compared between codes. Rules and regulations adopted across the codes for processes around video review were also assessed.

Results Six sports with specific diagnostic criteria and definitions for signs of concussion identified on video review participated in this study (Australian football, American football, world rugby, cricket, rugby league and ice hockey). Video signs common to all sports include lying motionless/loss of responsiveness and motor incoordination. The video signs considered by the majority of sports as most predictive of a diagnosis of concussion include motor incoordination, impact seizure, tonic posturing and lying motionless. Regulatory requirements, sideline availability of video, medical expertise of video reviewers and use of spotters differ across sports and geographical boundaries. By and large, these differences reflect a pragmatic approach from each sport, with limited underlying research and development of the video review process in some instances.

Conclusions The use of video analysis in assisting medical staff with the diagnosis or identification of potential concussion is well established across different sports internationally. The diagnostic criteria used and the expertise of the video review personnel are not clearly established, and research efforts would benefit from a collaborative harmonisation across sporting codes.

  • concussion
  • sports
  • diagnosis

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099727

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors GAD and MM contributed to the conception of the work. All authors contributed to the acquisition, analysis or interpretation of data, drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content, final approval of the version published and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

    • Funding No funding was provided for this study.

    • Competing interests GAD is an Honorary member of the AFL Concussion Working Group. MM is an Honorary member of the AFL Concussion Working Group. PB is Chief Medical Officer of NRL. PC is Head of Health, Safety & Laws, AFL. RJE is Co-Chair, NHL NHLPA Concussion Subcommittee and Chair of the MLS Concussion Committee. ECF is Member of World Rugby concussion working group. GWF is a member of the World Rugby Concussion Working Group. GG is Medical Director, Major League Baseball. PRH is AFL Medical Director. TH is State Medical Officer, Cricket Australia. NM is General Manager, Competitions and Operations, Football, NRL. WM is Medical Director, National Hockey League. JO is Chief Medical Officer, Cricket Australia. MR is Chief Medical Officer, World Rugby. AKS is Chief Medical Officer, NFL. GSS is Senior Adviser, NFL Department of Health and Safety. AV is Consultant for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Major League Baseball. PM is an Honorary member of the AFL Concussion Working Group. ICJME disclosure forms have been provided.

    • Patient consent Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.