Sport-related concussion knowledge and attitudes of staff working in English elite women’s football: a survey-based study

ABSTRACT

Background

Sport-related concussion (SRC) remains an injury of concern in sport, including football(soccer). There has been little investigation into SRC knowledge and attitudes of support staff working in the professional setting.

Methods

An amended version of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey(RoCKAS) was distributed online to coaching staff, and medical and performance staff, working at clubs in the English Football Association Women’s SuperLeague (WSL) and Championship. Completion of the survey generated two scores: concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitudes index (CAI).

Results

Sixty-three completed surveys were returned. Eighteen respondents were coaching staff, and 45 were medical and performance staff. The median CKI in medical and performance staff was significantly greater than in coaching staff. There was no significant difference in CAIbetween coaching staff and medical and performance staff. There was no correlation between CKI and CAI across all staff.

Conclusion

Medical and performance staff working in elite women’s football have greater knowledge of SRC than coaching staff. However, this does not always translate into safe behaviours on the field. Education should continue to be mandated across the professional game amongst support staff in order to maximise player welfare and enhance injury outcomes, whilst also reinforcing present SRC guidance.

KEYWORDS:

• Education
• injury
• concussion
• medical staff
• performance

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.

Contributors

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. AS, KSL and DM drafted the original manuscript and PB, CR, KK, SC and JP provided critical feedback and comments in refining the final submission.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This paper received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors affirm that this manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study being reported, that no important aspects of the study have been omitted, and that any discrepancies from the study as planned (and, if relevant, registered) have been explained.