Research article - (2018)17, 547 - 556
Youth Australian Footballers Experience Similar Impact Forces to the Head as Junior- and Senior-League Players: A Prospective Study of Kinematic Measurements
Mark Hecimovich1,2,, Doug King3,4, Alasdair Dempsey2, Mason Gittins2, Myles Murphy5,6,7
1Division of Athletic Training, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA
2School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
3School of Psychology and Exercise Science Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
4Department of Science and Technology, University of New England, Sydney, Australia
5School of Physiotherapy, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia
6SportsMed Subiaco, St John of God Health Care, Subiaco, Australia
7Sports Science Sports Medicine Department, The Western Australian Cricket Association, East Perth, Australia

Mark Hecimovich
✉ Division of Athletic Training, 003C Human Performance Center University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA
Email: mark.hecimovich@uni.edu
Received: 24-07-2018 -- Accepted: 25-08-2018
Published (online): 20-11-2018

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by youth AF players over a season of games and report subjective descriptions on the mechanism-of-injury and sign and symptoms experienced. A prospective observational cohort study with participants (n = 19) (age range 13-14 yr., mean ± SD 13.9 ± 0.3 yr.) wearing a wireless impact measuring device behind their right ear over the mastoid process prior to game participation. Participants completed an individual post-game logbook providing feedback responses on recalling having a direct hit to their head with another player or the surface. Players experienced a mean (SD) of 5 (±4) impacts per-player per-game. The peak linear rotation (PLA) median, (95th percentiles) were 15.2g (45.8g). The median (95th percentile) peak rotational acceleration (PRA) were 183,117 deg/s2 (594,272 deg/s2). Median (95th percentile) Head Impact Telemetry Severity profile were 15.1 (46.1) and Risk Weighted Exposure Combined Probability were 0.0012 (0.7062). Twelve participants reported sustaining a head impact. Players reporting a head impact had a faster mean impact duration (t(25) = 2.4; p = 0.0025) and had a lower median PLA(g) (F(23,2) = 845.5; p = 0.0012) than those who did not report a head impact. These results show similar measurements to the older junior- (aged 17-19) and senior-league (20+) players. Furthermore, players who reported sustaining a direct or indirect impact during games had similar measurements to those who did not, thus highlighting the difficulty of concussion recognition, at least with youth. Future research may need to establish the relationship between concussion-like symptoms in the absence of an impact and in relation to concussion evaluation assessments such as the King-Devick and SCAT5.

Key words: Australian Football, sports related concussion, biomechanics, head impacts

Key Points
  • 13-14 year old Australian Football players experience approximately 5 head impacts per-player per-game.
  • The magnitude, peak linear rotation and peak rotational acceleration of these head impacts are comparable to those of Australian football players 17 years and older.
  • Given the age of these players this study highlights the need for increased awareness of head impacts and concussion in youth, community level Australian football








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