CONTACT US: Contact info
|
Citation |
Gardner AJ, Kohler RM, Levi CR, Iverson GL. Int. J. Sports Med. 2016; 38(1): 71-75. |
|
Affiliation |
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States. |
|
Copyright |
(Copyright © 2016, Georg Thieme Verlag) |
|
DOI |
|
PMID |
27737484 |
|
Abstract |
A new concussion interchange rule (CIR) was introduced in 2014 for the National Rugby League and National Youth Competition (NYC). The CIR allows a player suspected of having sustained a concussion to be removed from play and assessed without an interchange being tallied against the player's team. Participants included all NYC players who used the CIR during the 2014 season. 2 raters completed video analysis of 131 (of a total of 156 reported) uses of the CIR, describing injury characteristics, situational factors, and concussion signs. The incidence rate was 44.9 (95% CI: 38.5-52.3) uses of the CIR per 1 000 NYC player match hours, or approximately one CIR use every 1.3 games. Apparent loss of consciousness/unresponsiveness was observed in 13% of cases, clutching the head in 65%, unsteadiness of gait in 60%, and a vacant stare in 23%. Most incidences occurred from a hit-up (82%). There appeared to be some instances of video evidence of injury but the athlete was cleared to return to play in the same game. Video review appears to be a useful adjunct for identifying players suffering possible concussion. Further research is required on the usefulness of video review for identifying signs of concussive injury. Language: en |