As rugby season kicks off, many families and young athletes are gearing up for a busy few months of training, matches, and muddy boots. Rugby is a fantastic sport for building teamwork, fitness, and resilience, but it’s also a high-impact game with an inherent risk of injury, especially to the head. As your local GP practice, we want to make sure our patients and their families are informed about concussion: what it is, what to watch for, and what to do if it happens.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a hit to the body that causes the head to move rapidly. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce or twist inside the skull, leading to temporary changes in how the brain functions.
While many concussions are mild and resolve with proper care, they should always be taken seriously. Continuing to play with a concussion can lead to more severe brain injury and longer recovery times.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Concussion symptoms may appear immediately after the injury, or they might take hours, or even a day or two, to show up. Keep an eye out for:
- Physical symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems.
- Cognitive symptoms: Confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, feeling mentally “foggy” or slow.
- Emotional and behavioural symptoms: Irritability, sadness, nervousness, more emotional than usual.
- Sleep-related symptoms: Sleeping more or less than usual, trouble falling asleep.
In children and teens, changes in behaviour, crying more than usual, or lack of interest in toys or activities can also be warning signs.
What Should You Do?
If you suspect that you or your child has a concussion, the most important step is to stop playing immediately and seek medical advice.
Most clubs and schools follow the Rugby Australia Concussion Guidelines, which require that any player with a suspected head injury has a medical review within 72 hours. If a concussion is diagnosed, or even suspected, return to play is not permitted for 12 days (for adults over 18) or 21 days (for those under 18). This protocol helps ensure the brain has adequate time to heal and reduces the risk of more serious injury.
Rest is crucial in the first 24–48 hours, both physical and mental. That means avoiding strenuous activity, screens, loud environments, and even schoolwork, depending on symptom severity. A gradual return to normal activities is then recommended, under medical guidance.
If you notice any signs of worsening symptoms, such as repeated vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness, or confusion that gets worse, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Does Headgear Help?
A common misconception is that scrum caps or headgear can prevent concussion. Unfortunately, they cannot. Concussions are caused by forces that shake the brain inside the skull, something that padded headgear cannot prevent.
However, headgear does help protect against external injuries, such as cuts, bruises, and cauliflower ear, which are common in rugby. So while headgear plays a useful role in protection, it should not be relied upon for concussion prevention.
Need Advice?
If you or your child has had a knock to the head and you’re unsure what to do, always seek immediate medical advice. In an emergency, call 000 or present to your local Emergency department. For post-injury follow up and clearance, Dr Kate Campbell, who has specialised training with World Rugby in concussion management, is available to provide expert assessment and guidance.
Stay safe, enjoy the season and remember: when in doubt, sit it out.