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Brain Injury Volume 29, 2015 - Issue 10
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Original Article

A preliminary video analysis of concussion in the National Rugby League

Andrew J. GardnerCentre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia, Correspondence[email protected]
,
Grant L. IversonDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, ;Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, ;MGHfC Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, USA, ;Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, Boston, MA, USA,
,
Tanya N. QuinnDepartment of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Michael MakdissiFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Austin Campus, Melbourne Brain Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, ;Australian Centre for Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia,
,
Christopher R. LeviCentre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Sandy R. ShultzDepartment of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,
,
David K. WrightDepartment of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, and
&
Peter StanwellCentre for Translational Neuroscience & Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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Pages 1182-1185 | Received 01 Nov 2014, Accepted 22 Mar 2015, Published online: 17 Jun 2015
 
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Abstract

Primary objective: To conduct the first video analysis of concussion in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and describe player and injury characteristics, situational factors and time to return to play.

Research design: Descriptive, observational case series.

Methods and procedures: Video analysis of 20 medically diagnosed concussions for three consenting clubs during the 2013 NRL season.

Main outcome and results: Most concussions (83%) occurred during a high tackle, and all injured ball carriers were hit high. Loss of consciousness was observed in 30% of cases. Common observable signs of injury included clutching of the head, balance problems or wobbly legs and a blank or vacant state. There were no post-concussive seizures. All players with loss of consciousness were removed from play. However, only half of the total sample was removed from play and one athlete who was removed returned to play in the same match. Of the players who were removed from play, the large majority returned the following week. Illegal play accounted for 25% of all concussions.

Conclusions: Video analysis may be a useful method to study the incidence, mechanism and management of concussion in sports such as Rugby League. Future studies may include larger numbers to validate this preliminary data and may also investigate other levels of play and age ranges.

Declaration of interest

Andrew J. Gardner, Peter Stanwell and Christopher R. Levi have been funded to conduct research into concussion in rugby league through a New South Wales Sporting Injuries Committee–Sports Research & Injury Prevention Scheme Grant, and a Brain Foundation, Australia–Brain Injury Award. Andrew J. Gardner acknowledges sport concussion research fellowship funding from Jennie Thomas, Life Governor of the Hunter Medical Research Institute. Grant L. Iverson acknowledges sport concussion research funding from the Mooney-Reed Charitable Foundation.

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