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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Objectively Assessing Sports Concussion Utilizing Visual Evoked Potentials
Published on: April 27, 2021
High school rugby players' understanding of concussion and return to play guidelines
Garry Sye1, S John Sullivan, Paul McCrory
1Kennedy Road Physiotherapy, Napier, New Zealand.
Objective:
To document high school players' understanding and attitudes towards concussion return to play guidelines.
Methods:
A questionnaire based survey was performed of national high school rugby players as to their knowledge of existing concussion return to play guidelines.
Results:
A total of 600 male players were surveyed, and 477 responded (response rate 80%). Half (237/477) were aware of concussion guidelines, and 60% (288/477) identified the mandated stand down period that is part of the regulations governing rugby football. Players obtained their information primarily from: teachers/coaches (239 responses), medical personnel (200), and other players (116). Of those players who suspected that they had been concussed (296/477, 62%), only 66 returned to play after medical clearance.
Conclusions And Implications:
This sample of high school players showed a limited knowledge of the concussion guidelines covering their sport, and even when concussed did not follow recommended protocols. This indicates the need for an increased focus on player education.
