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SPRINZ
Joshua McGeown1, Patria Hume1,2 Natalie Hardaker3,1 Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; 2 National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience Research, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; 3Accident Compensation Corporation
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Sport originated brain injury (SOBI) is a growing area of concern to the public, media, clinicians and researchers. Approximately 30% of athletes who sustain a SOBI will experience protracted symptom resolution characterised by one or more post-concussion disorders. A proportion of patients with SOBI require attention from physiotherapists with specialty training in the identification and treatment of cervical and/or vestibulo-ocular pathologies. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in the management of SOBI. We call upon physiotherapists and sports physicians to discuss how we can improve early identification of the predominant symptom cluster and develop therapy protocols that can be individualised for SOBI patients. KEYWORDS: concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, assessment, rehabilitation, return to play, return to learn. Severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from mild concussion to a severe penetrating injury resulting in coma or death [1]. In New Zealand, approximately 21% of all reported TBIs were sustained while playing sport or during physical activity [2]. Of these TBIs 98% were considered mild TBIs, and 51% of these were sustained by youth under the age of 18 years old [2]. Sport Related Concussion (SRC) and mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) are often used interchangeably both in the literature and in clinical practice. It is important to understand that concussion is a subset of mTBI and therefore not all mTBIs are necessarily concussion [3]. To improve the understanding of the seriousness of any brain injury that can result from sport, and to improve clarity surrounding the implications of mTBI and SRC resulting from sporting activities, we have
coined the easily remembered abbreviation SOBI for sport originated brain injury. SOBI describes the mechanical loading and deformation of brain tissue [1] that occurs as a result of impacts to the head or body and transmitted to the head that can occur during sport participation. This loading results in the brain colliding with the inside of the skull, and triggers a complex pathophysiological process causing disruption to normal brain function and metabolism which manifests clinically with somatic, cognitive, and emotional symptoms[5, 6] reported by the patient, and signs observed by clinicians [3-5]. Following SOBI, approximately 70% of individuals will experience spontaneous resolution of their symptoms within 10-14 days after the initial mechanical injury took place [6]. Conversely, other evidence indicates that 20-40% of individuals sustaining SOBI may continue to experience *CONTINUED >>
