Concussion knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in equestrian athletes

Abstract

Objective: To determine knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards concussion in adult equestrian athletes. Design: Nationwide, cross-sectional, questionnaire. Methods: Participants were recruited via advertisements circulated through social media, community presentations and equestrian organisations. Participants were sent a web link to an online questionnaire previously designed for high school athletes and modified to ensure relevance to equestrian activities. The percentage of correct responses per item and a total knowledge score were calculated. Differences in concussion knowledge by age, sex, level of experience and previous history of concussion were explored using t-tests, 95% confidence intervals (CI) and effect sizes. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 1486 participants (Mean age = 39.1 ± 15.4). Knowledge of what concussion was, how to recognise it and key symptoms (except poor sleep) was high (>80%). In contrast, awareness of guidelines was moderate (56%) and inability of helmets to prevent concussion was low (12%). Significantly higher levels of knowledge of concussion were identified in females compared with males (t=-6.55 p < 0.001, 95%CI=-3.26 to-1.75). The majority (87%) of participants reported that a helmet should be replaced after a fall, yet 46% reported re-using a helmet following a hit to the head. Conclusions: Knowledge of and attitudes towards concussion were positive. However, there were knowledge gaps and discrepancies between some attitudes and behaviour on some aspects of concussion. Targeted campaigns to promote awareness of concussion and improve recognition and onward management are needed. Education related to equestrian activities such as helmet use and injury mechanisms is needed to change behaviour and minimise the risk of injury.

The Effect of Multimedia Teaching Intervention on Physical Education Curriculum on University Students� Sports Attitudes and Sports Behaviors

“…There is no significant difference in the impact of sports behavior on different genders after using multi-media teaching to intervene in the physical education curriculum, which means that the performance of students' sports behavior will not be different because of gender. This result differs from most scholars' results (17,18). According to the research results, multi-media teaching applied to indoor physical education courses can improve students' sports performance without being restricted by gender.…”

Helmet use in equestrian athletes: opportunities for intervention

“…Fortunately, the majority of our respondents correctly identified many of the more common concussion symptoms. Our results are in agreement with a similar study done among New Zealand equestrians [12] with similar rates being reported in motocross participants [21] and soccer players [22].…”

“…Despite these advancements, even the best technology does not work if helmets are not worn, are stored in improper conditions or are not replaced after a potentially damaging blow. Our results also indicate that equestrians need better education to know how to store, clean and replace helmets frequently, and are in agreement with other work in this area [12]. Those riders who do wear helmets on a regular basis to protect themselves but do not follow helmet care guidelines leave themselves more vulnerable to injury than they may perceive.…”

“…Write-in comments on the survey and social media postings further indicated an awareness that head injuries may still occur even with helmet use, so this may highlight an educational opportunity for manufacturers to better advertise safety standards and the limitations of the level of protection offered. A similar study to ours found that there was low awareness among equestrians of the inability of helmets to protect against concussion [12]. While helmets can greatly improve outcomes after falls [13], current safety inspections and helmet-testing occur through impact with hard, flat surfaces as opposed to 'real-world' injuries that often occur with a rotational component to the fall [14].…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward concussion in adult cyclists

“…Females had higher levels of concussion knowledge than males. The reasons for this difference remain unclear but mirror findings from other sports such as equestrian activities (35). Further exploration of the role of these factors on concussion knowledge in different sports may be beneficial to help identify the audiences who may benefit most from being targeted with further education.…”