Turner, Tony

Richards, Hugh

Adams, Stephanie Alexandra

2019-08-05T10:14:05Z

2019-08-05T10:14:05Z

2019-07-05

This thesis investigated knowledge about, and attitudes towards, concussion within the context of four-wheeled motorsport in the United Kingdom. Concussion in sport remains a concern globally. There is evidence to suggest incidence of the injury is high, and rising in motorsport. Despite facing similar challenges to other sports such as rugby or American football, there is a lack of motorsport-specific research. Expert opinion/consensus recommends the importance of increasing knowledge and awareness of concussion, and the need for concussion education programmes that lead to long-term improvements in knowledge as well as attitudes. Furthermore, understanding the context and needs within motorsport are essential to progress in this area. This research used an exploratory mixed-methods design comprised of three studies. First, a feasibility interview study (Study 1) was conducted with key stakeholders (medical personnel, drivers), which sought to understand the context of concussion within motorsport. This informed the need to assess knowledge and attitudes (Study 2) of both medical personnel and drivers, which was conducted using a quantitative online survey. Together, these studies formed the bases for developing, implementing and assessing the first evidence based motorsport-specific concussion education programme (Study 3), delivered in the form of a series of workshops for young drivers. Study 3 employed both quantitative and qualitative methods throughout the design. Findings indicated that concussion is a concern within motorsport and that medical personnel and drivers lack knowledge and awareness about key aspects of the injury. Education and training were the top priority areas for both stakeholder groups. A motorsport-specific education programme, which uniquely explored the potential role of Need for Cognition (NfC), leads to improved knowledge and awareness of concussion in drivers. Furthermore, whilst quantitative data provided limited support of improvements in attitude, qualitative findings did provide examples of improvements in attitude towards the injury. This research makes a substantial contribution towards understanding concussion in motorsport from a psychological and educational perspective. It also contributes to the improvement of concussion education programmes across sport.

http://hdl.handle.net/1842/35961

en

The University of Edinburgh

Adams, S.A., Turner, A.P., Richards, H., Hutchinson, P.J. (2018). Concussion in motorsport? Experience, knowledge, attitudes and priorities of medical personnel and drivers. Clin J Sport Med (published online ahead of print 13 August). doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000647.

Adams, S.A., & Richards, H. (2017). Learn about concussion in sport: What is happening, where next & what is the role of the psychologist? Workshop session accepted to present at Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology Annual Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Adams, S.A. (2018, September 5). Psychological implications associated with concussion. Requested talk for UK Concussion Symposium 2018, hosted by Nottingham Trent University, England. https://www.basem.co.uk/news--events/ events_ detail. concussion-symposium-2018.html.

Adams, S.A. (2017, November 30). Concussion in motorsport: Survey findings from medical personnel and competitors & future directions. Requested talk for the Driving and the Brain Meeting, Royal Society of Medicine, Clinical Neurosciences Section, London, United Kingdom.

Adams, S.A. (2017). Concussion in sport. Requested workshop presentation for the British Psychological Society Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology Scotland Network, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Adams, S.A. (2017). Concussion first aid. Requested workshops for Edinburgh PE Teachers & Specialists, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Adams, S.A. (2016). Concussion first aid. Requested workshops for 4th Year PE teachers, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Adams, S.A., & Richards, H. (2015). The "invisible" injury: Concussion in motor sport. Requested workshop presented to team UK motorsport, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

concussion

motorsport

motor sport

attitudes

knowledge

education

training

brain injury

sport

medical personnel

athlete

mixed-methods

Concussion in motor sports: an investigation of an education programme to enhance knowledge, perceptions and attitudes

Thesis or Dissertation

Doctoral

PhD Doctor of Philosophy