The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has launched a new website and supporting material urging Australian sports administrators to take the dangers of concussion more seriously by heeding the message “if in doubt, sit them out”.
The website message is part of an AIS position statement which brings together the most contemporary evidence-based information on concussion for use by athletes, parents, teachers, coaches and medical practitioners.
Chief Medical Officer at the AIS, Dr David Hughes said there were growing concerns in Australia and internationally about the incidence of sport-related concussion and the potential health ramifications for athletes at all levels of sport.
“The website provides a valuable and trusted resource for the management of sports-related concussion for all Australians, regardless of the sport, location or level of participation,” Dr Hughes said.
Concussion in Sport Australia is an initiative of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians and Sports Medicine Australia.
ACT Brumbies and Australian Rugby Sevens player, Tom Cusack who has suffered multiple concussions during his career, is urging athletes, coaches, parents and support staff at all levels to ensure participants’ health is their number one priority.
“As a professional athlete, I know the importance of a player’s health,” Mr Cusack said, “it should be the focus of all sporting organisations.”
“Everyone, from kids at the grassroots through to professional athletes, should feel comfortable to put their hand up and say ‘I am not okay’,” he said.
“There’s nothing tough about playing on with concussion.”
President of the AMA, Dr Tony Bartone said everyone needed to play a part in reducing the impact of concussion.
“The first step is to understand how to identify the symptoms and when to seek medical support,” Dr Bartone said.
“If managed properly, most symptoms and signs of concussion resolve spontaneously.
“However, complications can occur, including increased susceptibility to further injury.
“That’s why the ‘sit it out’ message is so crucial, and anyone returning to sport following concussion should get medical clearance to do so.”
The AIS’s 28-page Position Statement can be accessed at this PS News link and the concussion website at this link.
