Sport concussion assessment in New Zealand high school rugby players: a collaborative approach to the challenges faced in primary care

Danielle M Salmon; Jason Chua; S John Sullivan; Chris Whatman; James  Brown; Johna K Register-Mihalik; Ian  Murphy; Simon Walters; Amanda Clacy; Gisela  Sole; Zachary Y Kerr; Karen  Rasmussen; Mike  England

doi:10.1080/02699052.2022.2033839

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Sport concussion assessment in New Zealand high school rugby players: a collaborative approach to the challenges faced in primary care

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Sport concussion assessment in New Zealand high school rugby players: a collaborative approach to the challenges faced in primary care

Danielle M Salmon, Jason Chua, S John Sullivan, Chris Whatman, James Brown, Johna K Register-Mihalik, Ian Murphy, Simon Walters, Amanda Clacy, Gisela Sole, …

Brain Injury, Vol.36(2), pp.258-270

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2022.2033839

PMID: 35143350

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Abstract

Rugby union

baseline

concussion

head injury

normative data

Primary objective: To describe the collaborative development of a New Zealand Rugby Concussion Assessment (NZRCA) for primary care and to provide normative baseline data from a representative group of high school rugby players. Methods: This study, conducted over the 2018 and 2019 community rugby season where players were baseline tested during the pre- or start of season period. Results: Data were collected from 1428 players (males n = 1121, females n = 307) with a mean age of 15.9 ± 1.4 years. The mean ± SD symptom severity score was 11.3 ± 8.6, the mean number of endorsed symptoms was 8.5 ± 5.3 and the percentage feeling "normal" was 80.2 ± 15.3%. Only 5.3% of players reported no symptoms at baseline. The most common reported were: 'distracted easily' (72.5%), 'forgetful' (68.5%), and 'often tired' (62.6%). None of the participants achieved a perfect score for the SAC50. The majority of participants (89.7%) passed the tandem gait test with a time of 12.2 ± 1.7 seconds. Age, gender, and ethnicity were associated with NZRCA performance; albeit weakly. Conclusion: This study provides normative reference values for high-school rugby players. These data will aid healthcare providers in their identification of suspected concussion in the absence of individualized baselines.

Details

Title: Sport concussion assessment in New Zealand high school rugby players: a collaborative approach to the challenges faced in primary care
Authors: Danielle M Salmon (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Jason Chua (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
S John Sullivan (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Chris Whatman (Author) - Auckland University of Technology
James Brown (Author) - Stellenbosch University
Johna K Register-Mihalik (Author) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ian Murphy (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Simon Walters (Author) - Auckland University of Technology
Amanda Clacy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
Gisela Sole (Author) - University of Otago
Zachary Y Kerr (Author) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Karen Rasmussen (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Mike England (Author) - New Zealand Rugby
Publication details: Brain Injury, Vol.36(2), pp.258-270
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2033839
ISSN: 1362-301X
PMID: 35143350
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99610008302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Neurosciences; Rehabilitation

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