Reasons for the Reporting Behavior of Japanese Collegiate Rugby Union Players Regarding Suspected Concussion Symptoms: A Propensity Analysis

Abstract

While previous research has identified the reasons for the concussion-reporting behavior of rugby union players, the influence of confounding factors such as concussion experience, education, and knowledge of concussion symptoms, any of which may have influenced the results, has not been considered. This study aimed to clarify the reasons for the reporting behavior of college rugby union players regarding suspected concussion symptoms by adjusting for confounding factors using the propensity score. A questionnaire about both concussion knowledge and concussion-reporting behavior was administered to 240 collegiate rugby union players. Of the 208 (86.7%) valid respondents to the questionnaire, 196 (94.2%) had experienced any one symptom of a suspected concussion, such as headache, at least once, and 137 (65.9%) reported symptoms to someone else. This study’s results revealed two important reasons for reporting symptoms: (1) the willingness of players to report experienced symptoms to someone else, along with realizing a concussion, and (2) the willingness of players to report suspected concussion symptoms, despite the absence of a doctor or trainer. These results suggest that providing educational opportunities to recognize suspected concussion symptoms and establishing a team culture of reporting physical problems to someone else is important for improving concussion-reporting behavior.

Concussion response and recovery in men and women’s rugby union: A reflexive thematic analysis of player interviews

“…Knowledge gaps may result from the assumption that players will seek post-concussion medical guidance as recommended [ 18 ] and that doctors could communicate this advice, thereby allowing greater focus in education programmes on the immediate response to concussion. Whilst this may be a reasonable assumption in theory, players [ 17 ], and the general public [ 35 ] do not typically seek healthcare post-concussion. Therefore, medical staff cannot be exclusively relied upon for the dissemination of current recovery guidelines, and consequently, there is a need to improve stakeholder understanding of supporting recovery from concussion.…”

“…Consequently, the appropriateness of the concussion response is dependent on the knowledge of those present. Whilst UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite Sport [ 16 ] recommend that players seek the advice of pitch-side medics, or call NHS 111 or 999 depending on resources and symptom severity, such behaviours post-concussion are not routinely undertaken by players [ 17 ]. If players do not present to a medical professional, up-to-date concussion advice cannot be disseminated, and players may risk further aggravation of the injury through premature return to sport.…”