Video analysis of potential concussions in elite male Hurling: are players being assessed according to league guidelines?

Abstract

Background Hurling is a fast-paced contact sport that places players at risk of concussion. Given the consequences of repeated concussive impacts, it is imperative that concussion management guidelines are followed. Hypothesis/Purpose. The aim of this study is to determine if potential concussive events (PCEs) in elite Hurling are assessed in accordance with league management guidelines. The secondary objective is to investigate the effectiveness of current concussion training programs. Methods Investigators used a video analysis approach to identify PCEs throughout the 2018 and 2019 inter-county Hurling seasons and championships. Subsequent assessment, return to play (RTP) decision, and signs of concussion were evaluated based on previously validated methods. The results were then compared year-over-year with previous research in Gaelic Football (GF). Results A total of 183 PCEs were identified over 82 matches. PCEs were frequently assessed (86.3%, n = 158) by medical personnel. The majority of assessments were less than 1 min in duration (81.0%, n = 128). Thirteen (7.1%) players were removed following a PCE. There were 43 (23.5%) PCEs that resulted in one or more signs of concussion, of which 10 (23.3%) were removed from play. There was no difference in rate of assessment, duration of assessment, or rate of RTP between 2018 and 2019 in both Hurling and GF, suggesting that current concussion training programs have had limited success. Conclusion In Hurling, players suspected of having sustained a concussion are frequently subject to a brief assessment, and are rarely removed from play. Affirmative action is needed to ensure the consistent application of standardized concussion assessment across the Gaelic Games.

Epidemiology of sport-related concussion rates in female contact/collision sport: a systematic review

“…This study also found that 25/182 players experiencing a PCE returned to play without any assessment, while most assessments were under 1 min. 84 These practices, along with the high SRC rates found in ladies’ Gaelic football and camogie and the low levels of data collection in our study, highlight a gap in the literature that should be addressed by future research.…”

Characteristics of potential concussive events in elite hurling: a video-analysis study

“…Reviewers were trained in video analysis at the injury prevention lab at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and have previously published PCE research in international soccer and Gaelic football. [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 21 , 22 ] Match footage was retrieved from the GAAGO online streaming service and was analyzed using QuickTime Player v10.5 (which enables frame-by-frame viewing). No patient data was utilized for this study, and all footage is public domain.…”

“…Various steps have been taken to improve concussion assessment practices, such as the implementation of the GAA concussion management guidelines and, more recently, the announcement of a concussion interchange rule [ 14 ]. We have discussed this in previous papers on both Gaelic football and hurling [ 12 , 15 ]. However, these measures do little to reduce the primary incidence or severity of concussion.…”

“…We previously published a video-analysis study on the medical assessment of potential concussions in hurling. This study, using the same dataset, identified 183 PCEs over 82 matches, suggesting that head strikes are quite commonplace [ 12 ]. Surveys of GAA athletes have also suggested a high burden of SRC and insufficient management of these injuries [ 13 ].…”