Knowledge gaps identified in general concussion knowledge of coaches (n=519) and trainers (n=384) from community Australian Football and Rugby League
| Statements | Responses n (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | |
| There is a higher risk of long-term problems if someone has a second concussion before recovering from the first one | |||||
| Coach | 3 (0.6) | 2 (0.4) | 28 (5.4) | 201 (38.7) | 285 (54.9) |
| Trainer | 2 (0.5) | 2 (0.5) | 6 (1.6) | 134 (34.9) | 240 (62.5) |
| People who have had one concussion are more likely to have another concussion | |||||
| Coach | 11 (2.1) | 125 (24.1) | 150 (28.9) | 179 (34.5) | 54 (10.4) |
| Trainer | 6 (1.6) | 93 (24.2) | 115 (29.9) | 126 (32.8) | 44 (11.5) |
| Symptoms of concussion can last for several weeks | |||||
| Coach | 3 (0.6) | 29 (5.6) | 43 (8.3) | 322 (62.0) | 122 (23.5) |
| Trainer | 8 (2.1) | 11 (2.9) | 20 (5.2) | 235 (61.2) | 110 (28.6) |
| Symptoms of concussion are usually gone after 10–14 days | |||||
| Coach | 11 (2.1) | 107 (20.6) | 121 (23.3) | 270 (52.0) | 10 (1.9) |
| Trainer | 7 (1.8) | 84 (21.9) | 83 (21.6) | 200 (52.1) | 10 (2.6) |
| Concussions can sometimes lead to emotional problems | |||||
| Coach | 13 (2.5) | 39 (7.5) | 153 (29.5) | 270 (52.0) | 44 (8.5) |
| Trainer | 6 (1.6) | 26 (6.8) | 79 (20.6) | 222 (57.8) | 51 (13.3) |
| Younger players (under the age of 18) typically take longer to recover from a concussion than adults | |||||
| Coach | 8 (1.5) | 152 (29.3) | 268 (51.6) | 79 (15.2) | 12 (2.3) |
| Trainer | 8 (2.1) | 125 (32.6) | 163 (42.4) | 64 (16.7) | 24 (6.3) |
| Players with a concussion should not be allowed to play until they have been assessed and cleared by a doctor | |||||
| Coach | 10 (1.9) | 17 (3.3) | 20 (3.9) | 181 (34.9) | 291 (56.1) |
| Trainer | 7 (1.8) | 6 (1.6) | 9 (2.3) | 96 (25.0) | 266 (69.3) |
| To be diagnosed with a concussion, you have to be knocked unconscious | |||||
| Coach | 10 (1.9) | 12 (2.3) | 10 (1.9) | 244 (47.0) | 243 (46.8) |
| Trainer | 12 (3.1) | 5 (1.3) | 5 (1.3) | 162 (42.2) | 200 (52.1) |
| A concussion can only occur if there is a direct hit to the head | |||||
| Coach | 11 (2.1) | 73 (14.1) | 29 (5.6) | 258 (49.7) | 148 (28.5) |
| Trainer | 11 (2.9) | 40 (10.4) | 17 (4.4) | 184 (47.9) | 132 (34.4) |
| Statement | Responses n (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
| Being knocked unconscious always causes permanent damage to the brain | |||||
| Coach | 11 (2.1) | 67 (12.9) | 122 (23.5) | 253 (48.7) | 66 (12.7) |
| Trainer | 10 (2.6) | 38 (9.9) | 84 (21.9) | 199 (51.8) | 53 (13.8) |
| After a concussion occurs, brain scans (eg, CT scan, MRI) typically show damage (eg, bruise, blood clot) to the brain | |||||
| Coach | 22 (4.2) | 187 (36.0) | 192 (37.0) | 109 (21.0) | 9 (1.7) |
| Trainer | 14 (3.6) | 128 (33.3) | 124 (32.3) | 105 (27.3) | 13 (3.4) |
| Elite football players are more likely to suffer a concussion than community level players | |||||
| Coach | 9 (1.7) | 23 (4.4) | 21 (4.0) | 239 (46.1) | 227 (43.7) |
| Trainer | 6 (1.6) | 18 (4.7) | 30 (7.8) | 177 (46.1) | 153 (39.8) |
| There are few risks to long-term health and well-being from multiple concussions | |||||
| Coach | 20 (3.9) | 69 (13.3) | 43 (8.3) | 209 (40.3) | 178 (34.3) |
| Trainer | 27 (7.0) | 54 (14.1) | 26 (6.8) | 138 (35.9) | 139 (36.2) |
| Wearing headgear can help to prevent a concussion | |||||
| Coach | 51 (9.8) | 222(42.8) | 77 (14.8) | 128 (24.7) | 41 (7.9) |
| Trainer | 27 (7.0) | 133 (34.6) | 68 (17.7) | 100 (26.0) | 56(14.6) |
| Players with a concussion can start normal training once they are symptoms free | |||||
| Coach | 35 (6.7) | 231 (44.5) | 73 (14.1) | 148 (28.5) | 32 (6.2) |
| Trainer | 20 (5.2) | 148 (38.5) | 41 (10.7) | 128 (33.3) | 47 (12.2) |
Correct statements scores ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) and higher scores reflected accurate knowledge. Incorrect statements scores were reverse coded.
GCK, general concussion knowledge.