Concussion knowledge and return-to-play attitudes among subelite rugby union players

Background. Concussion is a significant health issue in rugby union. However, little is known about players’ levels of concussion knowledgeor return-to-play (RTP) attitudes.Objectives. To determine the concussion knowledge and concussion-related RTP attitudes of subelite rugby union players in South Africa.Methods. Subelite rugby union players (n=127; mean age 24.1 years) completed a measure of concussion knowledge and a concussionrelatedRTP attitude scale. Frequencies were calculated with regard to concussion knowledge and RTP attitudes for the total sample, aswell as separately for previously concussed and non-concussed participants. Pearson’s χ2 tests and t-tests for independent groups wereemployed to determine significant differences in concussion knowledge and RTP attitudes between previously concussed and nonconcussedparticipants.Results. Participants displayed varying, yet generally less than optimal levels of concussion knowledge. Knowledge of concussion-relatedRTP protocols (20 - 23%) and the efficacy of safety equipment (20 - 25%) was particularly poor. The subelite rugby players included in thesample did not hold notably conservative RTP attitudes, with the majority expressing a willingness to participate in practice (74%) andcompetition (47 - 56%) without having fully recovered from a concussion. No significant differences were apparent with regard to the RTPattitudes and concussion knowledge of the previously concussed and non-concussed players.Conclusion. The general level of concussion knowledge among subelite rugby union players appears less than optimal. Moreover, themajority of these players expressed an intention to RTP before they had fully recovered from concussion.