title: Usefulness of Video Review of Possible Concussions in National Youth Rugby League.
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.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Stroke & Brain Injury, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: DR KOHLER Sports Injuries Specialist, Gold Coast, Australia.
authors.forename: R M N
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.affiliation: Sports Concussion Program, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton Heights, Australia.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Iverson
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D000068958:Return to Sport; D014741:Video Recording