Citation

Salmon DM, Chua J, Sullivan SJ, Whatman C, Brown J, Register-Mihalik J, Murphy I, Walters S, Clacy A, Sole G, Kerr ZY, Rasmussen K, England M. Brain Inj. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2022.2033839

PMID

35143350

Abstract

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.

Language: en

Keywords

concussion; normative data; baseline; head injury; Rugby union