Randomized Evaluation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Concussion Education Fact Sheet for Coaches

Background. Concussion education for coaches is being increasingly recommended by leading sports organizations, yet the effectiveness of available materials has not often been assessed. This study evaluated the impact of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (2017) publication: "Concussion safety: What coaches need to know" (the "NCAA Fact Sheet for Coaches") on participants' concussion knowledge and safety supportive intentions. Method. NCAA head coaches (n = 779) were randomized to view the NCAA Fact Sheet for Coaches either before (intervention condition) or after (control condition) responding to questions assessing concussion knowledge and intentions to engage in three behaviors (talk to team about concussion safety; allow symptomatic athlete to continue play; encourage medical staff to return athlete as quickly as possible). Results. Knowledge scores were significantly higher among coaches in the intervention condition as compared to the control condition, largely driven by differences in knowledge about the consequences of continued play postconcussion (injury, reaction time, possible death). Fewer coaches in the intervention condition expected that they would allow an athlete with a suspected concussion continue to participate in a game or practice or that they would encourage medical staff to return athletes to play as quickly as possible. Discussion. The present study provides evidence that educational content, like that contained in the NCAA Fact Sheet for Coaches, may have a positive short-term impact on concussion knowledge and behavioral intentions of coaches. In light of these findings, sports organizations should consider providing similar educational materials to coaches, evaluating whether the information is impactful in their population.