2018 Concussion Project
August 8,
2018 1656 1656 
Concussion remains the great unknown in Australian and in fact world sport. Unlike any other injury where the rehabilitation process has been proven to get the athlete back to competition without complication the effects of a brain trauma injury are still widely unknown.
On ABC news recently, it was reported that “more than $US500 million ($A675 million) in claims have been approved under the NFL’s concussion settlement, nearly a decade earlier than league officials estimated they would reach that amount”.
It is expected the total settlement, which took effect in January 2017 would “likely reach $US1.4 billion ($A1.89 billion), almost half a billion more than the NFL originally expected”. “Almost 2000 claims have been filed in less than 2 years”.
Even traditional “non-contact” sports are recognising concussion as an issue, an issue that at least needs a discussion about. In a recent SBS report it stated that while “the majority of injuries will tend to be related to soft tissue damage, abrasions, lacerations or bone fractures, there are increasing numbers of head injuries – notably concussion – now being reported in professional road cyclists”.
Much is being done with research on concussion. The implementation of side-line head injury assessments along with return to play protocols has helped to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of concussion.
Is Australia the next concussion battleground? Are you as a Sports Trainer or First Aider adequately covered in the event of an athlete commencing action against you? Does your club or association have the appropriate cover that protects you against legal action?
SASMA believe awareness and education are the key. The SA Sports Medicine Association have run and will continue to run workshops and education sessions on concussion management. Already we have run forums in metropolitan Adelaide with over 300 attendees. We have presented in the Riverland with over 30 attending and in Port Lincoln and Mallala. There have also been sessions in Port Augusta and Robe where we have Skyped a Doctor to present to coaches, players, trainers and parents.
It is pleasing to see that individual clubs are also requesting concussion information sessions where both junior and senior officials and coaches get an insight into best practice. We have also presented at several schools to staff, sports coaches and parents.
