The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport has published a special online edition featuring research into head injuries and concussion in sport.
Since 2018, Sport Medicine Australia's Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport has published 79 concussion or head-injury related articles.
The 42 articles in the special issue were chosen based on their citations, publication date and open access status, meaning they are free to access.
The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport editor-in-chief Professor Tim Meyer said many of the articles are sport-specific, seeking to answer the question: "Do typical head impacts for a given sport have the potential to cause long-term brain damage?"
Professor Meyer said the research demonstrates that "we should not deviate from the immediate tasks of educating sport participants, coaches, parents and carers about the appropriate medical care of head injuries and the return-to-play (and -training) after an injury."
Sports Medicine Australia CEO Jamie Crain said:
"Head injuries and concussion are of deep concern across the community and are taken extremely seriously by Sports Medicine Australia.
"It is important to have as much research as possible available to the public so participants, coaches, parents and spectators can understand the seriousness of head injuries and concussion, what can be done to minimise risks and to treat any injuries.
"The physical, mental and social benefits of sports far outweigh the risk of long-term damage from concussion and repeated head trauma when risks are adequately managed.
"Education is crucial to the management of those risks. And research is key to our understanding of those risks.
"Sports Medicine Australia welcomes any research. As evidenced by this special edition of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport on concussion, reliable data collection and research can take years to conduct and medical and scientific conclusions cannot be rushed."
The sports covered by research in the special edition of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport include:
- Australian Rules Football
- Rugby
- Boxing
- Football (soccer)
- Equestrian
- Skiing
Research articles in the special edition include:
Research needed to identify optimal rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies in Australian rules football
The research report 'The impact of concussion on subsequent injury risk in elite junior Australian football athletes' found the risk, anatomical location, and severity of subsequent injury in junior Australian footy players are similar following concussion compared to non-concussion index injuries.
However
