Concussion Knowledge, Attitudes, and Reporting Behaviors of Sports Car Racing Drivers

Abstract

Purpose: Optimal concussion management includes early recognition, immediate removal from competition, and diagnosis of concussion. However, because of varied medical access, concussion detection in the automobile racing is challenging, warranting further investigation into concussion knowledge, attitudes, and reporting behaviors. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to characterize concussion knowledge, attitudes, and report behaviors in the specialized motorsport format of “sports car racing.” Methods: A total of 59 racing drivers participating in the Pirelli World Challenge racing series completed a cross-sectional paper-and-pencil survey. Scores for symptom recognition, knowledge, and attitudes of concussion, and describe reporting behaviors were reported. Results: Drivers commonly recognized confusion (94.4%), headache (92.6%), loss of consciousness (90.7%), and blurred vision (88.9%) as signs of concussion. Sleep problems were the least recognized (48.2%) symptom. Total knowledge score averaged 34.65 ± 4.7 out of 42, and total attitude score was 45.11 ± 3.5 out of 49. Over half of drivers (55.2%) who recalled a racing-related concussion indicated that they reported all their concussions to a medical professional or teammate. The most common reasons for reporting a concussion included they did not want to have any further damage to their brain (31.0%), they thought that they had a concussion (20.7%), and they were scared (13.7%); common reasons for nondisclosure included not wanting to let their team down (15.4%) and not thinking it was serious (15.4%). Conclusions: Drivers correctly identified common concussion signs and symptoms, and had favorable concussion knowledge and attitudes. Over half of drivers who recalled a previous driving-related concussion indicated that they reported their injury to a medical professional or teammate. The application of the present investigation will inform the health care team working at racing events to help manage concussions.