Abstract
Objectives Investigate the observable player behaviours and features of both concussive (HS-C) and non-concussive (HS-NC) helmet strikes and describe their impact on playing performance. Methods Elite male cricketers sustaining helmet strikes between the 2016 and 2018 seasons were identified by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Medical records identified players sustaining a concussion and those in whom concussion was excluded. Retrospective cohort analysis was performed on batting and bowling performance data available for these players in the 2 years prior to and 3 months post helmet strike. Video analysis of available incidents was conducted to describe the characteristics of the helmet strike and subsequent observable player behaviours. The HS-C and HS-NC cohorts were compared. Results Data were available for 194 helmet strikes. 56 (29%) resulted in concussion. No significant differences were seen in playing performance in the 3 months post concussive helmet strike. However, a significant decline in batting performance was seen in this period in the HS-NC group (p<0.001). Video features signifying motor incoordination were most useful in identifying concussion post helmet strike, however, typical features suggesting transient loss of consciousness were not seen. Features such as a longer duration pause prior to the batsman resuming play and the level of concern shown by other players were also useful features. Conclusion HS-NC may be more significant for player performance than previously thought. Guidance for using video replay to identify concussion in cricket may need to be modified when compared with other field sports.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e001128 |
| Journal | BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Dec 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Contributors All three authors were involved in the design of the study and the evaluation and interpretation of the results. PO'H prepared the manuscript. LG performed the data analysis on the playing performance data and PO'H performed the analysis on the video review data. PO'H was responsible for the overall content as the guarantor. All three authors were involved in reviewing and editing the manuscript. Funding Dr PO'H has received funding from The Drake Foundation. Competing interests None declared. Patient consent for publication Not applicable. Ethics approval This research was approved by the ECB Research Committee. Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed. Data availability statement Data are available upon reasonable request. De-identified summary data can be made available by the lead author upon reasonable request.
Keywords
- concussion
- diagnosis
- performance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation