No Set Rule For Head Knocks
There is no evidence to support three concussions requiring a set time of rest, AFL medicos say
WATCH the concussion discussion above on PTV.
AS DISCUSSION around the immediate future of Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett intensifies, the AFL Medical Officers Association (AFLMOA) said there was "no scientific evidence to support a blanket rule of three concussions requiring a designated period of rest or retirement."
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Tippett has been left out of Saturday's game against Geelong after suffering his third concussion in five weeks against West Coast last round.
[ Related: Logan - listen to your body re: concussions ]
In a statement released on Friday, the AFLMOA said that while it understood the concerns of outside observers on concussion, it felt it needed to provide come clarity based on medical research and expertise.
"The AFLMOA takes the issue of concussion very seriously and has the world's best neurologists, neurosurgeons, sports physicians and concussion researchers working in the area of concussion management," the statement read.
"Furthermore, the AFLMOA would like to emphasise that the experts assessing those cases of concussion in the AFL base their decisions on their considerable expertise and knowledge of the latest research."
The AFL convened a concussion working group in 2010 to assist the AFL research board in determining research priorities and ensuring the AFL remains at the forefront of developments in the area.
The group also developed the AFL concussion management guidelines in line with the guidelines determined at the International Conference on Concussion in Sport.
All clubs follow these guidelines, which recommend that any player who fails a concussion test during a game should take no further part in that game. There is however, no requirement that he miss the next week.
The AFLMOA statement said "The current evidence on concussion management and outcomes indicate that the concussion response is different in different individuals. Therefore, tailoring management on a case-by-case basis is imperative, with the over-riding principle being that no player returns to play until fully recovered."
The AFLMOA expressed confidence in club doctors and, specifically, the management of Kurt Tippett in this period.
"The case of Kurt Tippett has been professionally handled by the club and sends a clear message to the community that concussion is a serious issue that should be managed conservatively."
AFL research has already established that about six or seven AFL players per team per year are concussed