The comparative incidence of reported concussions presenting for follow-up management in South African Rugby Union.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare the seasonal concussion incidence for school, university, club and provincial level Rugby Union players in South Africa.


METHODS
The study presents a retrospective statistical analysis of the number of reported concussions documented annually for groups of Rugby Union players as a proportion of those who received preseason neurocognitive assessment.


METHODS
Between 2002 and 2006, concussion management programs using computerized neuropsychological assessment were implemented for clinical and research purposes by psychologists in selected South African institutions involved in Rugby Union from school through to the professional level.


METHODS
The incidence figures were based on 175 concussive episodes reported for 165 athletes who were referred for neurocognitive assessment from a population of 1366 athletes who received preseason baseline testing.


METHODS
Concussion management routines varied according to the protocols adopted by the different psychologists and rugby organizations.


METHODS
It was expected that the incidence of concussion would vary significantly due to level of play and different management protocols.


RESULTS
There was wide disparity in the manner in which concussion follow-up was managed by the various organizations. Within broadly comparable cohorts, tighter control was associated with a relatively higher concussion incidence for athletes per rugby playing season, with average institutional figures ranging from 4% to 14% at school level and 3% to 23% at adult level.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis suggests that concussion goes unrecognized and therefore incorrectly managed in a number of instances. Recommendations for optimal identification of concussed athletes for follow-up management are presented.
Shuttleworth-Edwards
Ann B
AB
Department of Psychology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. a.edwards@ru.ac.za
Noakes
Timothy D
TD
Radloff
Sarah E
SE
Whitefield
Victoria J
VJ
Clark
Susan B
SB
Roberts
Craig O
CO
Essack
Fathima B
FB
Zoccola
Diana
D
Boulind
Melissa J
MJ
Case
Stephanie E
SE
Smith
Ian P
IP
Mitchell
Julia L G
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology