ArticleBMJ open sport & exercise medicine2019
Impact of concussion and severe musculoskeletal injuries on the onset of mental health symptoms in male professional rugby players: a 12-month study.
Article in BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed.
- Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2026).British journal of sports medicine · 2026Article
- Assessing the association between musculoskeletal injury and mental health in rugby players-A cross-sectional study.PloS one · 2026Article
- Contributors to negative biopsychosocial outcomes in rugby players (CoNBO): part 1 the systematic review.BMJ open sport & exercise medicine · 2026Article
- Brainwave Activity Localization, Mood Symptoms, and Balance Impairment in a Male South African Rugby Player With Persisting Symptoms After Concussion: A Case Report.Clinical case reports · 2025Article
- Is your system fit for purpose? Female athlete health considerations for rugby injury and illness surveillance systems.European journal of sport science · 2024Review
- Mental health symptom burden in elite ice hockey players and its association with self-reported concussive events.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2024Article
- Concussion history associated with adolescent psychological distress but not hazardous gambling: a cross-sectional study.BMC psychology · 2024Article
- Stunt performers' reluctance to self-report head trauma: a qualitative study.Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England) · 2024Article
- Impacts of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic on Depressive Symptoms and Mental Health Among Student-Athletes.Open access journal of sports medicine · 2024Article
- Mental Health and Involuntary Retirement from Sports Post-Musculoskeletal Injury in Adult Athletes: a Systematic Review.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2023Review
- NZ-RugbyHealth Study: Self-reported Injury Experience and Current Health of Former Rugby Union and Non-contact Sport Players.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2022Article
- Mental Health and Wellbeing of Retired Elite and Amateur Rugby Players and Non-contact Athletes and Associations with Sports-Related Concussion: The UK Rugby Health Project.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2022Article
- Disordered eating and eating disorders in male elite athletes: a scoping review.BMJ open sport & exercise medicine · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis study explored the association between concussion or musculoskeletal injuries, and the onset of mental health symptoms (MHS) in male professional rugby players over a 12-month period.
methodsObservational prospective cohort study with three measurements over a follow-up period of 12 months. At baseline, 573 participants provided informed consent. A total of 327 male professional rugby players (62% forwards, 38% backs) completed all follow-up assessments at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. The mean (±SD) age, height and weight of the participants at baseline was 25.9 (±4.4) years, 184.9 (±8.7) cm and 101.5 (±14.6) kg, respectively. Number of musculoskeletal injuries and number of confirmed concussions were assessed through single questions. Symptoms of distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, adverse alcohol use and eating disorders were assessed using validated questionnaires.
resultsProfessional rugby players who sustained a concussion within 12 months of baseline were more likely to develop MHS with ORs ranging from 1.5 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.1) for distress to 2.0 (1.2 to 3.6) for adverse alcohol use. Players who sustained a severe injury within 12 months of baseline were more likely to develop symptoms anxiety/depression with an OR of 1.5 (1.1 to 2.0). There was no significant association in both groups for other MHS.
conclusionsRugby players who sustained concussion or severe injuries are up to two times more likely to develop symptoms of distress, adverse alcohol use or anxiety/depression.
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