Addressing Sport-Related Concussions in Australia

Australians love their sport – whether it’s the footy, cricket, swimming or horse riding. What we don’t love are the accompanying injuries whilst playing sport. Sport-related concussions are non-discriminatory and can affect athletes at all levels ranging from the recreational athlete to the full-time professional. While fractures, strains and dislocations are easier to spot, head injuries can be more insidious. However, there has been a growing awareness of the long-term health effects of repetitive head injuries in all levels of sport.

The growing scientific awareness of head injuries has led to a major revamp of the way head injuries are treated. Concussion, Latin for “shaken brain”, sub concussion, mild traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are all the subject of guidelines published by The Australian Institute of Sport & Sports Medicine Australia, in conjunction with many leading organising bodies such as the International Olympic Committee and FIFA.

The guidelines are designed to help those without a medical background identify potential concussions by providing a four step concussion checklist (https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2017/04/26/bjsports-2017-097508CRT5.full.pdf). The guidelines serve as a primary source of reference for officials first tending to an injured athlete, and shapes the appropriate course of action and steps to undertake during the initial injury assessment. The checklist provides information on when to call an ambulance, along with monitoring signs, symptoms and completing memory assessments.

An alarming number of Australian studies have revealed an inadequacy in the general knowledge of head injuries and concussion. An improvement in both education and awareness is crucial to improving the initial diagnosis and ongoing management of concussion. It is imperative for this education to include all relative stakeholders including athletes, parents, coaches, teachers and healthcare professionals. The four step concussion checklist aims to improve the identification and appropriate management of head injuries at all levels. Schools and sporting organisations have been urged to appoint a concussion assessor as part of their sporting operations – someone equipped with an adequate education and training in the immediate and long-term management of head injuries. In addition, sporting bodies are urged to implement rule changes where appropriate which may assist in the prevention of head injuries and concussion.

Clubs ranging from community grassroots right through to professional level, as well as sporting academies, schools and individual players can all have a duty of care to participants in the game. Nationally and internationally, there has been a rise in the number of cases where athletes have sued sporting bodies for the consequences of their playing careers.

In late 2023, over 200 professional rugby players from the united kingdom commenced proceedings against the sport’s governing body for inadequate response to head injuries. Given the emergence of highly paid elite athletes, increasing knowledge of the long term impacts of injuries, as well as lucrative sponsorship agreements, the growth in these claims is to be expected.

It is recommended that clubs, schools and sporting organisations engage appropriate legal advice to ensure they comply with the complex mix of regulations, legislative requirements for injuries, mandatory insurance, as well as managing a raft of off field agreements, sponsorships and contracts.