Assessment of the Effects of Concussion on Adolescent Rugby Union Players

200 adolescent rugby players (aged 15-19) from the Senior Cup Teams of 5 Rugby Playing schools (Members of Irish Schools Rugby) will be invited to enroll for inclusion in the study. The study will collect data on brain health, including computer based skill testing, eye tracking and balance and on task completion, cover existing tests in the established SCAT 3 alongside response to exercise testing and a clinical examination including baseline blood tests known to influence recovery from concussion in a rugby playing population of adolescent schoolboys. The initial data will be taken before the 2016/2017 season starts. The volume of rugby training and match play will be recorded along with activity monitoring in general. For those subjects who sustain concussion a dedicated clinic will provide all after care including repeat clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging along with a graduated return to exercise and a compressive rehabilitation programme at Sports Surgery Clinic (SSC). A Consultant Sports Physician will manage the return to play programme with an exercise, cognitive, balance, eye movement and neck strength programme.