Leading Sports Charity Calls for More Action on Concussion

Podium Analytics (Podium), the UK’s leading charity for reducing injury in sport, is calling for injury reporting, where a player is removed from the field of play, to be made mandatory, in a bid to better protect participants in youth and grassroots sport, particularly in respect of sport-related concussion.

The move comes as the charity, that promotes the significant physical and mental health benefits of sport and physical activity, releases findings from a recent YouGov survey which reveal an estimated 3.6 million adults were injured through participating in grassroots sport in the past 12 months (7% of the UK adult population), equivalent to roughly 10,000 people a day. Whilst 7% of UK adults have suffered an injury during grassroots sports in the past 12 months, 12% of UK adults suffered injuries more than 12 months ago.

The survey revealed significant support for rule changes that aim to reduce the incidence of sports injuries (54%). When it comes to head injuries specifically, support for rule changes rises to 67% to reduce the incidence of concussion in rugby (vs 9% who oppose), 61% support in football (vs 12% who oppose) and is at a similar level of 53% support in field hockey (vs 8% who oppose).

This comes as the research also reveals that a large majority of parents (78%) believe it should be compulsory for schools and sports clubs to keep a record of all sports injuries that happen during lessons, training and matches. Current RIDDOR guidance from the Health and Safety Executive for UK schools was last updated 10 years ago. The guidance states that if an accident results in an injury due to the “rough and tumble” of the game, there is no need for the accident to be reported, however parents want to see this changed.

Podium offers schools and sports clubs free access to its digital ecosystem SportSmart, which provides tracking and analytics tools, educational information and insights to prevent, monitor and manage injury. Included in the ecosystem is a head injury management tool which helps teachers and coaches monitor a concussion injury and manage a safe return to play following the latest guidance.

Read more here.