Sport-related concussion attitudes and knowledge in elite English female footballers

ABSTRACT

Background

Sport-related concussions (SRC) are more common and more severe in women’s football than men’s yet the knowledge and attitudes of SRC in the women’s game are not well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the SRC knowledge and attitude in elite female footballers.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to all registered players in the English Football Association Women’s Super League (WSL) and Championship. Respondents completed an amended version of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS). Concussion Knowledge Index (CKI) and Concussion Attitudes Index (CAI) scores were derived for all respondents.

Results

One hundred and twenty-three players completed the survey with 111 fitting the inclusion criteria. The mean CKI score was 20.5 ± 2.3 and the mean CAI score was 63.3 ± 6.3. A weak positive correlation was shown between the CKI and CAI (r = 0.20; p = 0.03). Previous concussion education had a significant impact on increased knowledge (U = 1198; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in concussion attitudes and knowledge between the WSL and Championship or in those with a previous concussion history and no previous concussion (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Previous SRC education demonstrated an increased knowledge around concussion but a limited impact towards concussion attitudes. It is suggested that concussion education should be mandated across the professional game to enhance player welfare.

KEYWORDS:

• Soccer
• women’s football
• concussion
• knowledge
• attitude

Authors contribution

AS, PB, CR were involved in the original concept of the study. The data collection was achieved by AS and supervised by PB. The data analysis was completed by AS with supervision by JP. All tables and figures were designed by AS and KK. AS drafted the original manuscript and PB, CR, KK, SC and JP provided critical feedback and comments in refining the final submission.

Disclosure statement

PB, CR and JP hold or have held clinical roles at the Football Association. CR and SC have held clinical roles in Women’s Super League teams.

Data availability statement

The data that supports the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (AS). The data is not publicly available due to participants consenting only to anonymised extracts and aggregated data use, dissemination, and storage.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.