The association of padded headgear with concussion and injury risk in junior Australian football: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Objectives To assess whether padded headgear (HG) was associated with incidence of suspected sports-related concussion (SRC), non-SRC head injury, and injuries to other body regions in junior Australian football. Design Prospective cohort injury surveillance. Methods There were 400 junior players (42.5% female) enrolled across two seasons. Suspected SRC was defined by detection of observable signs on the field and medical assessment or missed match(es) due to suspected SRC. Non-SRC head injury and injuries to other body regions were defined as those that received medical assessment or resulted in a missed match. Results There were 22 teams monitored over 258 matches. 204 players (2484 player hours) wore mandated HG throughout the season and 196 (2246 player hours) did not. The incidence rate of suspected SRC was 3.17 (95% CI: 3.04–3.30) per 1000 player-hours and no differences were observed between males and females (RR 1.11; 95% CI: 0.40–3.06). HG use was not associated with suspected SRC (RR 1.09; 95% CI: 0.41–2.97), non-SRC head injury (RR 0.27; 95% CI: 0.06–1.31), or injuries to other body regions (RR 1.41; 95% CI: 0.79–2.53). Conclusions HG use was not associated with reduced risk of suspected SRC, non-SRC head injury or injuries to other body regions. There was no difference in rate of suspected SRC in female compared to male players, however, rates of non-SRC head injury and injuries to other body regions were higher in male players.