title: Do as I say: contradicting beliefs and attitudes towards sports concussion in Australia.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore beliefs and attitudes of students studying exercise science in Australia towards sports concussion. A secondary objective explored differences between gender and previous experience of concussion. A total of 312 participants (m = 217; f = 95) responded to a series of statements ranging across a number of areas including personal attitudes and beliefs towards concussion: if they would risk playing with a concussion; their views on elite/professional athletes who continue to play after a concussion; and attitudes towards rehabilitation. Overall, attitudes revealed that it was not safe to play with a concussion, and it was believed that those who have had repeated concussions would be likely to suffer problems later in life. However, responses also indicated that they would risk playing with a concussion, and admired elite athletes who continued to play. When controlling for gender and previous concussions, males and those who sustained a previous concussion/s were more likely to continue playing. Conversely, females were more likely to complete rehabilitation prior to returning to sport. This study demonstrates in an Australian student cohort studying for a career in exercise and sports science, disparity between beliefs and attitudes regarding sports concussion.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health, Arts and Design , Swinburne University of Technology , Melbourne , Australia.|b Melbourne School of Health Sciences , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: c Institute for Sport Exercise and Active Living , Victoria University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: d Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences , Swinburne University of Technology , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parrington
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health, Arts and Design , Swinburne University of Technology , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aimers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D001924:Brain Concussion; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Concussion; attitudes; exercise science; sports