Risk factors that predict head trauma exposure in semi-professional Australian Rules Football players

Abstract

Introduction: Given the force required to incur a concussion is unknown, diagnosing concussion often relies on the presence and assessment of post-concussion signs and symptoms. However, if symptom onset is delayed, or if symptoms are not recognised or reported at the time of impact, the concussion may go undiagnosed. With diagnosed and undiagnosed head impacts associated with long term neurological consequences, previous research has combined sub-concussive and concussive injury categories for analysis, specifically when predicting head trauma related outcomes. Often injury risk is explored in relation to extrinsic or modifiable risk factors. Intrinsic risk factors have also been identified including higher playing levels, player positions, increased risk taking and impulsivity, player's age, and injury history. These studies have often focused on overall injury incidence, rather than head trauma specific injury. Furthermore, no known studies have explored these factors together in relation to head trauma risk, or specifically in Australian Rules Football. Hence the aim of this study was to explore intrinsic risk factors associated with head trauma injuries.