Examining Factors Associated with Concussion Prevention and Management in High School Rugby Players

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19631
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: Toin University of Yokohama (2023); National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health (2020-2022)
• Principal Investigator: OTOMO Mana 桐蔭横浜大学, スポーツ科学部, 講師 (70779272)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: スポーツ関連脳振盪 / スポーツ安全 / 学校安全

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to clarify the circumstances of concussion injury and the symptoms and signs after concussion injury in high school rugby players, and to help prevent concussion.
The subjects were high school rugby players who visited a clinic in Sugadaira and were diagnosed with concussion. The athlete and his companion were interviewed simultaneously about the circumstances surrounding the concussion injury. All subjective symptoms and signs after concussion were investigated using the SCAT, and all interviews were conducted in the form of questionnaires. Sugadaira is a sacred place for rugby training camps in Japan, and many teams from all over Japan visit the area during the summer vacation every year, and practice matches are held every day. In this study, more than 90% of the subjects were injured in matches.

Free Research Field

スポーツ医科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高校ラグビー選手の脳振盪受傷状況を明らかにしたことによって、脳振盪受傷の予防策を講じるきっかけになる。また、脳振盪と急性硬膜下血腫の受傷機転が類似していることも報告されていることから、脳振盪予防に関する知見は頭部外傷による死亡事故の予防にも寄与すると考える。
また、脳振盪受傷後に多く見られる症状や徴候を明らかにしたことによって、スポーツ現場の人や学校現場の人に対して、より注意すべき事態についての説明が可能となるため、安全なスポーツ環境の構築に貢献できると考える。