Symptom profile following cumulative mild traumatic brain injury in early adolescent rugby union players in South Africa

Abstract

Background. The symptom profiles of young adolescent rugby and non-contact sports were investigated over one sport season.

Objectives. To compare the concussion symptom profiles of rugby players with those of non-contact sport players over a sport season.

Methods. In a non-equivalent quasi-experimental design, a group of rugby players (n=99) were compared with a demographically equivalent group of non-contact sport participants (n=74). The computerised Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (IMPACT) symptom scale was employed to evaluate and compare pre-season and post-season assessment of both groups.

Results. Independent comparative analyses revealed that the damaging effects owing to exposure to concussive and sub-concussive incidents appear to be more pronounced in the rugby group in terms of symptomatic presentation compared with the controls.

Conclusion. The damaging effects are compounded during a rugby season as a result of sub-concussive and concussive events.