Concussion awareness leaving parents 'terrified', experts say

Some sports, including Australian Rules, have modified rules to address the risk of head injuries. (Four Corners: Ryan Sheridan) As parental anxiety around brain injuries in junior sports increases, experts say children can still play safely. A recent survey found almost a third of parents polled had stopped their children from playing contact sport for fear of concussion. Neurologists say the benefits of sport far outweigh the risks. Link copiedShareShare articleAs the issue of concussion begins to reshape sport across the country, experts say while greater awareness is largely a good thing, some parents have been left "terrified". A research paper published by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in June, based on a survey collected by the Royal Children’s Hospital in 2023, found almost a third of parents who responded had stopped their children playing contact sport due to fear of concussion. Some of those parents had stopped their children from taking part in sport of any kind. It comes amid rising public awareness and concerns about the impact of head injuries in some of Australia's most popular sports. A recent survey of parents found almost a third have stopped their children from playing contact sport for fear of concussion. (ABC News: Jen Browning) The long-term effects of multiple head knocks and concussion in professional sport has recently been in the spotlight. But, as Zac found out, just one hit can be life-changing. Earlier this week, Adelaide Crows AFLW star Chelsea Randall retired after multiple concussions, saying she had recently begun suffering symptoms such as "starry vision" after minor head knocks. On Monday, Four Corners revealed dozens of Australian Rules Players, some in their 20s, had been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), linked to head injuries sustained playing sport. Professor Vicki Anderson, a paediatric neuropsychologist at MCRI, treats children who have suffered a concussion. She said the parents of those children are often "terrified their children will develop CTE" as a result. "We don't have the approach that you should play sport regardless, but if you've had one concussion, and you don't get another one, then the chances that will have any repercussions are pretty low. Professor Vicki Anderson is a paediatric neuropsychologist at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute. (ABC News: Peter Healy) Adding to parental anxiety are widely held concerns that younger children who sustain a mild brain injury, such as a concussion, may either recover slower or face greater risk of long-term issues. "If kids have severe brain injuries, the younger they are the worse outcome they have," Professor Anderson said. "If they have mild injuries … there is absolutely no difference in terms of that recovery rate." There is a risk that children will suffer a concussion while playing sport. In January, the MCRI published a report which found 1,380 children were admitted to hospital with a sport related concussion in the 2023-24 financial year. Rugby union and league combined (17.6 per cent) accounted for the highest number of those concussions, followed by AFL (14.5 per cent), cycling (13 per cent) and soccer (10 per cent). A MCRI report, published in January, found 1380 children were admitted to hospital with a sport-related concussion in the 2023-24 financial year. (ABC Kimberley: Vanessa Mills) But Professor Anderson said it is important to view those statistics in context. "Most concussions we see aren't from children playing sport," she said. However, the various sporting codes know they need to address the risk of concussion or risk losing junior players in droves. The major tackle sports all have modified rules for kids to limit the amount of contact. Overseas, the US and UK banned junior soccer players from heading the ball until the age of 11. Junior players suspected of concussion are now prevented from returning to play for several weeks, with restrictions varying depending on the sport and individual circumstances.

Concussion awareness leaving parents 'terrified', experts say

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