Concussed players staying on the pitch

Some rugby players are still playing on despite receiving concussive head injuries, according to a study.

A survey of 76 players – including some women internationals – found that of those who had been concussed on the pitch, 40% carried on playing.

The survey, details of which have been published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, also found that three-quarters of players said they would continue to play in an important game, even if they were concussed.

The research was conducted by Dr Emer O’Connell of Cork University Hospital in collaboration with Professor Michael Molloy, a former Irish rugby international and also a former chief medical officer for the men’s international team.

In total, 40 men and 36 women took part in the survey, including 58 club players and 18 internationals.

The survey found that one-third of those surveyed had been concussed playing rugby; half of whom had received a medical diagnosis. However, while 60% of those players were removed from the field, 40% continued to play.

“It is concerning,” Dr O’Connell said. “It shows that despite education and the awareness of concussion there is the possibility of a player playing on with concussion.”

Dr O’Connell added that the survey results indicated the need for “a change of attitudes” among those involved with rugby. The study indicated that while both male and female players had similar knowledge, attitude and concussion incidence, three-quarters of those questioned said they never or seldom worried about the long-term effects of concussion.

A small number of players said they had previously attempted to manipulate medical assessment of their concussion in order to remain playing.

Prof Molloy, who is involved in the impending opening of a national concussion clinic which will feature a state-of-the-art functional MRI scanner, said the decision as to whether a player remains on a field after a head injury should never involve the player themselves.

He said he expected the game of rugby to change “quite dramatically” in future, with more effort made to limit head injuries in the tackle and in ruck situations. A study of concussive injuries will be undertaken at the new clinic once it opens.

There have been a number of high-profile incidents involving concussion at senior international level in recent years while the parents of northern Irish schoolboy Ben Robinson have been campaigning for increased safety in rugby since he died from second impact syndrome following a match for Carrickfergus Grammar School four years ago.

Earlier this year Michael Carter, a paediatric neurosurgeon at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, told the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that “rugby sidesteps many safeguards intended to ensure pupil well-being” and that schools, coaches, and even parents were contributing towards a “tribal, gladiatorial culture that encourages excessive aggression”.