QBI Schools Concussion Study

Do you play rugby? Maybe basketball? The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) is looking for athletes to help us learn more about how sports concussions affect the brain.

Working with World Rugby and Rugby Australia, QBI is trying to make contact sports safer, so you can play longer and smarter.

Who?

You are eligible if:

• You are 14 -19 years old and play rugby, basketball, or swim competitively at a South East Queensland school
• You have no history of neurological symptoms

Why?

Playing sport improves health and wellbeing and should be encouraged. Recently though, potential downsides to contact sports have come into focus, particularly the risk of concussion.

QBI, in collaboration with World Rugby, Rugby Australia, Qscan, Trajan and Sonic Health, is spearheading ground-breaking research to improve the safety of contact sports by understanding more about how concussion affects the brain. The study aims to improve the accuracy of concussion diagnoses and the reliability of return-to-play decisions.

What's involved?

Athletes involved in the study will be required to undergo some preliminary tests. If the athlete experiences a concussion, a similar series of post-concussion tests will be required to track how the brain recovers. QBI would like the preliminary (baseline) tests to commence in October 2023 through to April 2024 in readiness for the 2024 South East Queensland school rugby season.

What are the benefits?

As a research participant, the athlete will be helping to improve the safety of contact sports globally. They will also play an active role in educating himself about his own health and the signs and symptoms of brain injury. If they sustain a concussion through the season, they will have access to regular screening and will be carefully monitored by industry experts in brain research. They will also receive a copy of their brain scan(s). 

How will my data be used?

The athlete's data will be fully anonymised and used only for this study.

Interested?

If the athlete is keen to make an impact and progress the world’s understanding of concussion, please complete this short Expression of Interest form and QBI’s study coordinator will be in touch to discuss the next steps. Information provided to QBI will be held in strict confidence. 

Alternatively, you can direct any immediate questions about the study to QBI’s coordinator via email QBIconcussionstudy@uq.edu.au 
 

Expression of interest form

How does the study work?

Download a printable recruitment flyer