The relationship between executive functioning and head injury in rugby players

Abstract

The current literature shows that executive functioning is negatively affected by head injuries such as concussions. The main aim of this study was to (1) investigate the relationship between executive functioning and head injury in rugby players, with a secondary aim of (2) investigating whether the time playing rugby has an effect on head injuries sustained. To date no research has been conducted on this matter on local rugby in Malta. Executive functioning deficits were tested for using the DEX Questionnaire which is part of the Behavioural Assessment for Dysexecutive Syndrome (Wilson, Evans, Emslie, Alderman & Burgess, 1998). The results showed a significant correlation between number of head injuries and DEX Total Score, between number of head injuries and time playing rugby. A more detailed analysis of the three domains tested for in the DEX Questionnaire which are behaviour, cognition and emotion was carried out. Additionally, this study showed there was a significant correlation between number of head injuries and DEX Behaviour Total Score and between number of head injuries and DEX Cognition Total Score. These results were all supported by current literature.