Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Why Risk It? Athletes' Return to Sport Decisions Following Concussion Injuries: A Pilot Study

Version 1 : Received: 5 June 2020 / Approved: 7 June 2020 / Online: 7 June 2020 (07:51:52 CEST)

How to cite: Waterworth, V.; Procyk, A.; Canetti, E.; Hing, W.; Gough, S. Why Risk It? Athletes' Return to Sport Decisions Following Concussion Injuries: A Pilot Study. Preprints 2020, 2020060064. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202006.0064.v1 Waterworth, V.; Procyk, A.; Canetti, E.; Hing, W.; Gough, S. Why Risk It? Athletes' Return to Sport Decisions Following Concussion Injuries: A Pilot Study. Preprints 2020, 2020060064. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202006.0064.v1

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the influence of education and other factors on an athlete’s decision to return to sport post-concussion injury, and whether general risk-taking tendencies are related to return to sport post-concussion decisions in these athletes. Participants and Methods: A self-administered electronic survey was designed to examine their decision-making process when faced with scenario-based questions regarding returning to sport post-concussion injury. Students from the Health Sciences and Medicine Faculty at Bond University were invited to participate. Participants were allocated to a concussion education or non-education group prior to commencement of questionnaire via the random generator on Qualtrics software function. The risk propensity scale was used to assess the risk aversion of each participant. Results: Sixteen respondents were randomized evenly to education and non-education groups. Seven (43.8%) had previously received concussion education training prior to completing the questionnaire, with one (14%) choosing to return to sport in the scenario-based questions. The education group reported two (25%) respondents return to sport, while three (75%) respondents out of four returned to sport with no education or previous concussion training. Influential factors that impacted the decision whether to return to sport or not included: game importance, concussion severity and symptoms, and various internal and external factors. Finally, there was a divergence in results from the risk propensity scale when deciding to return to sport and general risk-taking propensities. Conclusion: This study identified several influential factors including game importance, concussion severity and symptoms which play a significant role in the return to sport decisions post-concussion injury.

Keywords

traumatic brain injury; return to play; risk aversion; choice behaviour; health

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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