Incidence et mécanisme des commotions cérébrales dans le rugby professionnel : 2 clubs du top 14

Abstract

IntroductionIn rugby, the management of concussions, transient alteration of the neurological functions following a traumatic brain injury, is standardized from the field until the return to play. The Berlin consensus of October 2016 established a new score “Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5” for consultation with a specialist at 48h post-event. The objective here is to define the incidence of concussion in professional rugby and secondly to know the main mechanism and the positions most at risk. MethodsWe followed two professional clubs over two seasons, recording the cases of concussion. For each case, we inquired about the conditions of occurrence of the concussion, on the position of the concussed player and on his immediate exit or not for concussion protocol. ResultsIn both seasons, 43 cases of concussion were recorded, 41 of which occurred in 134 games played. The incidence is 0.31 concussion per game, so one concussion every three games per team. The most at risk are third (28%) and first line (26%). Concussions occur more frequently in the tackling player (67%). In 72% of the cases, the player went out immediately for concussion protocol. ConclusionThe concussion is a not insignificant event in rugby. Protocols established and reviewed in consensus are necessary to be as discriminatory as possible for case detection. The goal is to protect players from long-term sequelae of repeated concussions, chronic post-traumatic encephalopathy.