History, Knowledge, and Education of Sport-Related Concussion Among College Athletes in Japan.

CONTEXT: Few authors have investigated sport-related concussion (SRC) awareness and knowledge among athletes in Japan. Sport-related concussion research is scarce among Asian compared with North American and European cohorts. OBJECTIVE: To examine previous SRC history, level of SRC knowledge, and previous exposure to SRC education among collegiate athletes in Japan by the level of contact and access to medical staff. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Single-university study in Japan. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2103 athletes (48 varsity teams) were contacted to participate in an anonymous survey. Data from athletes with (1) SRC history in the past 3 months, (2) persistent SRC symptoms, (3) nontraditional sports, or (4) incomplete surveys were excluded. As a result, data from 593 athletes representing 43 varsity teams were included in this analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Outcome measures were level of contact (contact [CON], limited contact [LTD], noncontact [NC]), access to medical staff (MEDYES, MEDNO), SRC knowledge (maximum score of 49), previous SRC history (self-report; yes, no), and previous SRC education (self-report; yes, no). RESULTS: The average SRC knowledge total score was 33.4 ± 6.1 (range, 18-48). The knowledge score in CON was higher than in LTD and NC (P < .001) and in MEDYES than MEDNO (median, MEDYES = 34.0, MEDNO = 32.0; U = 27 841.5, P < .001). Sport-related concussion history was statistically different by the level of contact ( = 27.95, P < .001) and by access to medical staff ( = 4.5, P = .034). The presence of an SRC history and previous SRC education contributed to higher SRC knowledge, independent of the level of contact and access to medical staff (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Japanese athletes who participated in CON sports had a higher prevalence of SRC history, higher knowledge, and greater exposure to SRC education than those in LTD or NC sports. Access to medical staff was associated with higher SRC knowledge.

The current state of concussion knowledge and attitudes in British American Football.

OBJECTIVES: To examine concussion knowledge and concussion attitudes of players, coaches, and support staff in British American Football (BAF). METHODS: Data from players, coaches and support staff (n = 236) were collected from across all leagues in BAF. An online survey tool was used which included the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS), and questions examining concussion education and perceived risk of participating in football. RESULTS: The mean score on the RoCKAS concussion knowledge was 21.0 ± 2.1 of a possible score of 25 reflecting good knowledge. Of a possible score of 65, the mean concussion attitude score was 55.6 ± 6.1 showing safe attitude. Whilst an overall safe attitude was seen, almost half of participants (45.3%) noted they would continue to play with a concussion. No relationship was found between CAI and prior concussion history. Fifty seven percent of participants agreed the benefits of playing football outweighed the risks. Forty eight percent reported that they had received no concussion-related education in the past 12 months. CONCLUSION: BAF participants have good concussion knowledge and safe attitudes. However, risky behavior is demonstrated through unsafe likelihood to report and attitude to long-term health risks. Access to the British American Football Association (BAFA) concussion policy and education was poor raising questions over what sources of information stakeholders are drawing their knowledge from. These findings can help form the foundation of educational interventions (e.g. coaching workshops) to challenge current misconceptions and improve likelihood to report concussion in BAF.