Self-Reported Headgear Use and Concussions Among Collegiate Men’s Rugby Union Players

Abstract

The perceived effectiveness of rugby union headgear in reducing concussions in American male collegiate rugby union athletes was assessed. Data collection was conducted by survey method distributed using electronic mail. One hundred and thirty-one men's club rugby union participants from eight university teams in the United States were surveyed. Demographic data were assessed using frequencies, means, and standard deviations. An ANOVA was used to assess differences in the frequencies of responses between players with concussions and their perception of headgear, with an increase in positive perception of headgear with increased concussions. Player position and years of experience played a role in the number of concussions and use of protective headgear. Seventy-six different athletes reported a concussion while playing, with the majority (51%) not wearing headgear. Athletes who wore headgear experienced 24% of the concussions, compared to 76% of those who did not wear headgear. The incidence of concussions and severity of concussions were perceived as less severe among the group wearing headgear. The general perception of those individuals polled as to the effectiveness of headgear in reducing head injuries was positive.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Sport Concussion

“…One group 143 found a decrease in the risk of concussion among English premier rugby athletes who wore headgear; however, in 3 studies 139,144,145 of youth or college rugby athletes, no association was noted between wearing headgear and decreased risk of concussion. Studies of headgear use in soccer have largely been laboratory based and focused on biomechanical variables.…”

Is protective equipment useful in preventing concussion? A systematic review of the literature

“…This study may therefore not be representative of a specific target population, with the measure of effect diluted towards the null. The cross-sectional study conducted by Kahanov et al 53 reported more concussions among players who did not wear headgear, but did not report a measure of effect. Concussions were self-reported in this study and the response rate was 65%.…”

“…The majority of mouthguard13 32–36 38 and headgear48 53 61 62 65 68 study designs were descriptive observational. All of these studies have biases such as self-selection of equipment use, so study groups may not be comparable.…”

“…Some studies45 53 68 had large subject drop-outs, loss to follow-up, or a low response rate, which may have lead to an underestimation of the association between protective equipment use and concussion rates if the reason for drop-out was related to injury. Several other studies did not report this information 12 13 19 26 32 – 36 38…”

Helmets, head injury and concussion in sport

“…The only protective headgear in rugby consists of soft polyethylene foam with no hard shell. Rugby players generally believe that headgear protects them against concussion [103], and players using headgear have reported lower incidence and severity of concussions compared with those not wearing headgear [104].…”