Hardaker, Natalie JHume, Patria ACollins, Juno BarnettKing, Doug ASims, Stacy TSelfe, James2025-04-032025-04-032025-02(2025). Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, S1440-2440(25)00039-8.1440-2440https://hdl.handle.net/2292/71750To evaluate self-reported concussion knowledge and attitudes in community football players in New Zealand, comparisons were made between the sexes and those with and without history of concussion. Cross-sectional cohort study. The Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS) was used for data collection and analysis. Players were recruited through the New Zealand Football registered player database. Seventy-four players had data eligible for inclusion (55 % female). Thirty-four players (45 %) had previously diagnosed concussion (56 % female). Mean Concussion Knowledge Index (CKI) scores were significantly (p = 0.002) higher for male (20.8 ± 1.4) than female (19 ± 3.7) players. There were no significant sex differences in mean Concussion Attitude Index (CAI) scores (female 63.7 ± 11.4, male 65.6 ± 6.0; p = 0.427). Surprisingly, 32 % female and 39 % male players indicated that they would play on with symptoms of concussion. Comparison within female players showed a significantly higher CKI (20.3 ± 1.7 versus 18.8 ± 2.6; p = 0.025) and higher CAI (66.5 ± 4.9 versus 64.1 ± 5.9; p = 0.151) in players with a history of concussion. There were no within male player trends for CKI or CAI. Male players had a notably higher concussion knowledge (CKI) than female players. Females with a previously diagnosed concussion also had a notably higher CKI than female players with no concussion history. Therefore, healthcare professionals could play a key education role when managing players with concussion. Given over a third of players indicated that they would play on with symptoms of concussion, education should focus on short- and long-term impacts of concussion and potential consequences of concussion.Print-ElectronicItems in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htmAthletic injuryBehaviourBrain injuryCognitionExercise42 Health Sciences4207 Sports Science and ExerciseWomen's HealthNeurosciencesBrain DisordersTraumatic Head and Spine InjuryPhysical Injury - Accidents and Adverse EffectsTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI)1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences1116 Medical Physiology1117 Public Health and Health Services3202 Clinical sciences5201 Applied and developmental psychologyJournal Article10.1016/j.jsams.2025.02.005Copyright: The authors40023696 (pubmed)1878-1861S1440-2440(25)00039-8Attribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/