Motorsport Australia releases concussion protocols
Ahead of the first Supercars race of the year, Motorsport Australia has released its new concussion management guidelines, which includes a mandatory exclusion from racing.
After both Jaxon Evans and Richie Stanaway were ruled out of races during the season ending Adelaide 500 last year, Motorsport Australia has revised its concussion procedure over the summer.
Led by former F1 chief medical officer, Dr Brent May, the updated guidelines align with globally recognised best practices, incorporating the latest Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT6) and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6).
If an adult driver is diagnosed with concussion, the minimum period of exclusion from competition is 14 days, while they must also be cleared by a Medical Practitioner.
The same applies for drivers less than 18 years old, but the exclusion period extends to 21 days.
No driver can return to racing before the exclusion period is completed.
In addition to the full report, which can be read HERE, Motorsport Australia has released a list of frequently asked questions and answers, which can be seen below.
What this means for competitors:
- Improved Safety Measures: The latest concussion assessment tools (CRT6 and SCAT6) will help medical professionals quickly and accurately diagnose concussions, ensuring safer competition conditions.
- Clearer Return-to-Competition Protocols: If a competitor is suspected of having a concussion, there will be structured and medically supervised steps for returning to racing, reducing the risk of premature participation.
- Clear Exclusion periods: Adults (18 years and over) – a minimum exclusion period of 14 days from date of incident, and clearance by a medical practitioner (medical doctor). Under 18 years – a minimum exclusion period of 21 days from date of incident, and clearance by a medical practitioner (medical doctor).
- Greater Awareness and Education: Competitors will benefit from increased understanding of concussion risks, symptoms, and necessary precautions, helping them make informed decisions about their health.
- Consistent Medical Evaluations: The guidelines will standardise concussion assessments across all Motorsport Australia-sanctioned events, ensuring fairness and consistency in medical evaluations.
What this means for medical staff:
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- Enhanced Assessment Tools: The introduction of CRT6 and SCAT6 provides a more structured and reliable approach to evaluating potential concussions, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnoses.
- Standardised Protocols: Medical teams will follow a uniform process across all Motorsport Australia-sanctioned events, ensuring consistency in how concussions are identified and managed.
- Clearer Return-to-Participation Criteria: The guidelines outline definitive steps for determining when a competitor is fit to return, reducing the risk of premature clearance.
- Improved Medical Preparedness: On-site medical teams will be better equipped with up-to-date knowledge and best practices, strengthening their ability to handle concussion cases efficiently.
Image: Peter Norton Epic Sports Photography
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