title: Concussion history and reporting rates in elite Irish rugby union players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the self-reported, seasonal rates of concussion and the reporting practices among Irish rugby union players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive epidemiology study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the training grounds of four professional Irish rugby union clubs.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy-two players (24.97 ± 4.11 years of age, 13.49 ± 5.79 years playing experience) gave consent to participate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of concussions reported during the 2010-2011 season, reasons for not reporting, and positions of concussed players.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five percent of players reported at least one concussion during the 2010-2011 season, but only 46.6% of these presented to medical staff. The reasons for not reporting their concussions included, not thinking the injury was serious enough, and not wanting to be removed from the game. The relative proportion of concussions was higher for backs than forwards; however, the severity of injury was greater for forwards. Scrum-halves (12.0%) and flankers (10.9%) accounted for the majority of concussions reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self-reported rate of concussion in elite rugby union players in Ireland is higher than reported in other countries or other sports. Many concussions remain unreported and, therefore, unmanaged. However, recent changes in concussion management guidelines by the International Rugby Board may impact future reporting practices of players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9171, USA; Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, Elmhurst College, Chicago, USA. Electronic address: fraasm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fraas
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Irish Rugby Football Union, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Garrett F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, Elmhurst College, Chicago, USA; Department of Psychology, The Chicago School, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Irish Rugby Football Union, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Concussion reporting rates; Epidemiology; Head injury; Ireland; Rugby union