Browsing by Author "Van Vuuren, Johannes Odendaal"

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    Concussion and return-to-play : knowledge, roles and responsibilities in the Western Province club rugby role players
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Van Vuuren, Johannes Odendaal; Kraak, Wilbur; Welman, Karen; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Sport Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rugby is a sport played globally and has a high risk of injury with concussion making up a fair proportion of these injuries. The knowledge of concussion has been said to influence the reporting of symptoms, and therefore, influencing the management and post-concussion return-to-play. A lack of knowledge has been reported in numerous role players, such as coaches, medical staff, administrative staff and not only in players. Education and translation of relevant information is needed to affect the attitude of role players for the correct implementation of return-to-play post-concussion. Within an amateur environment, medical assistance could be lacking, and therefore, the role of concussion management and post-concussion return-to-play should be shared among all role players. The first objective of the current study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes among amateur club rugby role players in the Western Province Rugby Union regarding concussion. The second objective was to investigate the post-concussion return-to-play implementation, roles and responsibilities among amateur club rugby role players. The thesis consists of two research articles. The first objective will be addressed in Article one, titled: ‘Concussion knowledge, risk- and precaution-taking attitude among amateur club rugby role players’. The results indicated that overall the participants scored 73% for concussion knowledge. The players scored the lowest (67%) in contrast to medical staff (79%) and referees (78%). Regarding the attitudes towards concussion, players (36%) demonstrated the highest risk-taking score in contrast to referees (90%), who demonstrated the greatest precaution taking score. The findings demonstrated the superior knowledge and attitude of referees and highlighted their importance in player’s safety. Article two, titled: Post-concussion return-to-play: Roles, responsibilities and implementation among amateur club rugby role players addresses the second objective of the study. The results indicated that coaches were perceived by players (74%) and other coaches (88%) to have knowledge of post-concussion RTP guidelines. Coaches were also deemed responsible by the majority of players (71%) and other coaches (80%) for monitoring training and matches for injuries. The correct order to the six-stage RTP protocol was successfully identified by less than half (40%) of medical staff and by only a third (37%) of the coaches, which warrants concern because this protocol was selected to be implemented in the event of a concussion. Coaches therefore, although being selected as responsible role player in RTP, revealed less than optimal post-concussion RTP protocol implementation. By investigating concussion and post-concussion RTP knowledge, roles, responsibilities within amateur club rugby, will help identify areas of concern. The areas of concern could include misconceptions in concussion knowledge or implementation of post-concussion RTP guidelines. A practical recommendation would be to have a pre-season education workshop strictly for concussion and post-concussion RTP for all role players within the club. This would encompass that concussion management systems are in place, medical staff qualifications are in order and that personnel can implement the post-concussion RTP protocol.