Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41158958›Full record

ArticleBMJ open sport & exercise medicine2025

Industry-supported healthcare programme for concussion management in junior community Australian football.

Libby Jean Gracias, Brooke E Patterson, Andrea B Mosler, Bryn Savill, Indianna Franke, Kay M Crossley, Patrick Clifton, Michael Makdissi, Catherine Willmott, Anik Shawdon and 2 more

Abstract read
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Article in BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Libby Jean GraciasLa Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2349-097X
Brooke E PattersonLa Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6570-5429
Andrea B MoslerLa Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Bryn SavillAlphington Sports Medicine Clinic, Northcote, Victoria, Australia.
Indianna FrankeLa Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Kay M CrossleyLa Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Patrick CliftonYarra Junior Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Michael MakdissiLa Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Catherine WillmottAustralian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Anik ShawdonAustralian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Jonathan ReyesAustralian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Matthew G KingDiscipline of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0470-5924

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: Junior Australian football players with sport-related concussion (SRC) often do not access optimal healthcare. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an industry-supported healthcare programme that removed financial and logistical barriers to accessing care for SRC and adherence to the Australian Football League's (AFL) SRC management guidelines. Methods: Junior Australian football players (from a Melbourne-based league of 9852; under 8-18 competitions) who sustained a suspected or diagnosed SRC during the 2023 season were recruited. Players underwent assessment and management for SRC by a sport and exercise medicine registrar, including return to school and play planning in accordance with the AFL guidelines. Outcomes included programme demand, implementation, acceptability and adherence to the AFL's guidelines (median, (range) days for return to school, training and play). Results: From 154 eligible players, 58 (37.7%) participated, resulting in a weekly demand of 4.1 players (95% CI 3.1 to 5.2). 49 players were diagnosed with an SRC, and 9 players were cleared for SRC at their initial appointment. 44 players with SRC (89.8%) adhered to all medical advice and returned to play after receiving a medical clearance. All players returned to school (1 (0-10) days), unrestricted training (16 (2-53) days) and play (21 (7-63) days). Conclusion: The low programme demand indicates financial constraints and/or access to medical practitioners are not the main barriers for players with suspected SRC to formally seek healthcare in a metropolitan context. Those who did participate demonstrated high levels of appointment attendance, acceptability and adherence to AFL guidelines.

Indexed as

Australian footballConcussionRehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID41158958
PMCPMC12557732

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