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Sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment in road cycling: a systematic review and call to action

Elliott, Jonathan; Anderson, Richard; Collins, Stephen; Heron, Neil

Sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment in road cycling: a systematic review and call to action Thumbnail


Authors

Jonathan Elliott

Richard Anderson

Stephen Collins



Abstract

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a recognised risk in road cycling and can have serious health consequences. Recent high-profile cases of professional road cyclists continuing to participate in races despite suffering obvious SRC have highlighted the difficulties in assessing SRC within road cycling. Purpose: To undertake a systematic review of the literature on SRC assessment in road cycling. Study design: Systematic review. Methods: Literature describing SRC assessment in road cycling was identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility and a qualitative analysis was undertaken of included studies. Results: From 94 studies identified, two were included for review. Gordon et al describe the presentation of a single case of paediatric concussion following a cycling crash. They highlight the utility of SRC evaluation using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) as well as the importance of a stepwise return-to-play protocol. Greve and Modabber discuss a number of traumatic brain injuries that occurred during the 2011 road cycling season and, as a minimum, call for riders to be withdrawn from competition following loss of consciousness or amnesia. Both studies are at high risk of bias and of low quality. Conclusion: Road cycling poses unique challenges for the assessment of SRC. This review illustrates the lack of published evidence to advise effective means of SRC assessment within road cycling. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regulations advise the use of SCAT-5 for concussion assessment but this tool is impractical, requiring modification for use in road cycling. We would like to call on the UCI to hold a consensus meeting to establish an evidence-based SRC assessment protocol and return-to-riding protocol for road cycling.

Acceptance Date Mar 5, 2019
Publication Date Apr 14, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine
Print ISSN 2055-7647
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Pages e000525 - ?
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000525
Keywords assessment protocol, concussion, road-cycling, sports-related concussion (SRC)
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000525

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