12.20 Concussion in professional team sports: time for a harmonised approach?

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2024-01, Vol.58 (Suppl 1), p.A71-A71
• Main Author: Veuthey, Alexandra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australian football; Case studies; Concussion; Data collection; First Round Abstract Submissions; Professional soccer; Team sports
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.189

ObjectiveConcussion in sport raises two serious concerns. First, concussion carries a public health risk, given that athletes are regularly exposed to the risk of sustaining concussion. Secondly, sports federations are exposed to the risk of financial and reputational damage as a consequence of legal proceedings being filed against them. My thesis examines how to reduce these two-fold risks, and proposes a harmonised solution across sports and legal systems.DesignMy thesis relies upon doctrinal research and comparative law methods. Its backbone consists of case studies, which describe and analyse the current regulation of concussion.SettingThe case studies focus on selected professional team sports and countries: United States (American football, hockey, football, water polo, baseball); Canada (Canadian football); Australia (rugby, Australian Rules football); Switzerland (football, hockey); England and Brazil (football).ScopeMy thesis focuses on professional team sports, excluding elite and grassroots sports, as well as individual sports.Interventions/Outcome MeasuresThe measures taken by sports federations can be divided into six categories: the rules of play, rules of the game and concussion management protocols, financial support for injured athletes, education, research and data collection. The measures taken by governments include legislative interventions and guidelines, other congressional and parliamentary interventions, education, research and data collection.Main ResultsWhile sports federations and governments have made notable regulatory efforts, opportunities for further improvement exist. Current efforts are taking place within a framework that is still too often opaque, conflictive, defensive and self-centered. Harmonised reforms appear urgently necessary, given the ongoing nature of the concussion controversy across countries and sports, and the need for sport to operate internationally. The proposed reforms, inspired by the anti-doping system, consist of an international standard, an international convention, a new international sports safety body and some limited enforcement mechanisms.