Mild traumatic brain injuries in early adolescent rugby players: Long-term neurocognitive and academic outcomes

Abstract

Tentatively, the outcome suggests cognitive vulnerability in association with school level participation in rugby.

RISUS study: Rugby Injury Surveillance in Ulster Schools

“…These figures are higher than most previous reports in youth rugby 15. Young athletes are more vulnerable to concussion and may be affected by more complicated recovery times and higher risk of adverse outcomes 11 12. In addition to the potential of acute catastrophic traumatic brain injury, there have been increasing concerns of potential long-term adverse effects of sports-related concussion particularly when multiple concussive blows are sustained over a lifetime 17–19.…”

“…Concussion can have devastating outcomes if not identified or managed accordingly. This is particularly pertinent in adolescent and young athletes, as developing brains undergo a more complex and protracted recovery postconcussion in comparison to an adult 11 12…”

Risks associated with significant head impact events in elite rugby union

“…Although Non Direct Head Impacts have been associated with concussion injuries [1, 23,24], this analysis is aimed at providing an evidence base for player actions which can help to decrease the risk of a Significant Direct Head Impact occurring. A particular focus is given to player stance, orientation and kinematics leading up to, and during, tackles.…”

Could lowering the tackle height in rugby union reduce ball carrier inertial head kinematics?

“…The mechanics of acute injuries in rugby, for example concussion arising from direct head impacts, have been studied McIntosh, 2007, McIntosh et al, 2014). However, there is also mounting evidence of reduced long term cognitive ability in rugby players, even in those without a history of concussion (Alexander et al, 2015, Shuttleworth-Edwards and Radloff, 2008, Hume et al, 2016. This includes reduced visuomotor processing speeds (Shuttleworth-Edwards and Radloff, 2008) and short term visual memory (Alexander et al, 2015) in comparison to athletes from non-contact sport controls.…”

“…However, there is also mounting evidence of reduced long term cognitive ability in rugby players, even in those without a history of concussion (Alexander et al, 2015, Shuttleworth-Edwards and Radloff, 2008, Hume et al, 2016. This includes reduced visuomotor processing speeds (Shuttleworth-Edwards and Radloff, 2008) and short term visual memory (Alexander et al, 2015) in comparison to athletes from non-contact sport controls. Furthermore, Hume et al (Hume et al, 2016) found that rugby players have longer reaction times, slower psychomotor speeds and reduced visual and verbal memory in comparison to age matched norms.…”