Concussion knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in equestrian athletes.
Abstract: To determine knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards concussion in adult equestrian athletes. Methods: Nationwide, cross-sectional, questionnaire. Methods: Participants were recruited via advertisements circulated through social media, community presentations and equestrian organisations. Participants were sent a web link to an online questionnaire previously designed for high school athletes and modified to ensure relevance to equestrian activities. The percentage of correct responses per item and a total knowledge score were calculated. Differences in concussion knowledge by age, sex, level of experience and previous history of concussion were explored using t-tests, 95% confidence intervals (CI) and effect sizes. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 1486 participants (Mean age=39.1±15.4). Knowledge of what concussion was, how to recognise it and key symptoms (except poor sleep) was high (>80%). In contrast, awareness of guidelines was moderate (56%) and inability of helmets to prevent concussion was low (12%). Significantly higher levels of knowledge of concussion were identified in females compared with males (t=-6.55 p<0.001, 95%CI=-3.26 to -1.75). The majority (87%) of participants reported that a helmet should be replaced after a fall, yet 46% reported re-using a helmet following a hit to the head. Conclusions: Knowledge of and attitudes towards concussion were positive. However, there were knowledge gaps and discrepancies between some attitudes and behaviour on some aspects of concussion. Targeted campaigns to promote awareness of concussion and improve recognition and onward management are needed. Education related to equestrian activities such as helmet use and injury mechanisms is needed to change behaviour and minimise the risk of injury.
Copyright © 2020 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-05-17 PubMed ID: 32471785DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.05.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research explores the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of equestrian athletes with regard to concussion. It concludes that while general understanding of concussions is high, awareness of specific guidelines and the lack of protection helmets offer against concussions is low.
Methodology
- The study conducted was a nationwide, cross-sectional questionnaire.
- Ads circulated via social media, community presentations, and equestrian organizations were used to recruit participants.
- An online questionnaire designed for high school athletes, adjusted for relevance to equestrian activities, was sent to participants through a web link.
- The percentage of correct responses was calculated per item and a total concussion knowledge score was computed.
- T-tests, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and effect sizes were used to determine differences in concussion knowledge based on age, sex, level of experience, and past concussion history.
Results
- 1486 participants completed the questionnaire, with an average age of 39.1 years.
- High knowledge (>80%) was observed on what a concussion is, how to identify it, and key symptoms (minus poor sleep) amongst participants.
- Only moderate awareness (56%) of concussion guidelines was recorded, and understanding on the low protective ability of helmets against concussions was also low (12%).
- Females showed significantly higher levels of concussion knowledge than males.
- While 87% of participants believed that a helmet should be replaced after a fall, 46% admitted to re-using a helmet following a head hit.
Conclusions
- The study found positive attitudes and knowledge towards concussion. However, there were knowledge gaps and variance in attitudes and behaviors concerning certain aspects of concussion.
- Campaigns towards improving concussion awareness, recognition, and management are needed.
- Education on equestrian-related activities, like helmet use and injury mechanisms, is crucial to alter behavior and reduce injury risk.
Cite This Article
APA
Theadom A, Reid D, Hardaker N, Lough J, Hume PA.
(2020).
Concussion knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in equestrian athletes.
J Sci Med Sport, 23(11), 1055-1061.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.05.008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- TBI Network, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. Electronic address: alice.theadom@aut.ac.nz.
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand; TBI Network, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
- Accident and Compensation Corporation, New Zealand; Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand; TBI Network, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
- TBI Network, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand; TBI Network, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Accidental Falls
- Adult
- Animals
- Athletes
- Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Brain Concussion / diagnosis
- Brain Concussion / prevention & control
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Head Protective Devices
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Sports
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Stanfill AG, Wynja K, Cao X, Prescott D, Shore S, Baughman B, Oddo A, Tsao JW. Helmet use in equestrian athletes: opportunities for intervention. Concussion 2020 Dec 14;6(1):CNC85.
- Crawford AE, Picken LK, Gabriel FD, Quade J, Gould S. CNS and Thorax Injury and Associated Risks Factors in Equestrian Sports. Sports Health 2025 Jul;17(4):697-702.
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