King, DHume, PClark, TWethe, J2024-04-292024-04-292024-04-13Journal of the Neurological Sciences, ISSN: 0022-510X (Print); 1878-5883 (Online), Elsevier BV, 460, 123011-. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.1230110022-510X1878-5883http://hdl.handle.net/10292/17473Aim: Address deficiencies in access to sports sideline medical care by using a Concussion Check Protocol (CCP) for non-medically-trained people. Method: A prospective observational cohort study was undertaken on a single amateur female club-based soccer team over two consecutive years in New Zealand utilising a non-medically trained support person termed a Safety officer. CCP is an extension of the King-Devick test with features such as warning signs and symptoms of concussion built into the application. All players suspected of having a potential concussive injury were tested on the match sideline. Results: The study overall incidence of match-related concussions was 20.8 (95% CI: 11.8 to 36.6) per 1000 match-hrs, with mean missed-match duration of 31 (95% CI: 27.9 to 34.1) days. Twelve players over the study had a significantly slower post-injury K[sbnd]D (49.9 [44.3 to 64.1]s; χ2(1) = 11.0; p = 0.0009; z = −2.9; p = 0.0033; d = 0.30) and/or reported symptoms, compared with their own baseline (47.2 [44.3 to 64.1]s). CCP had an overall sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 73.5% to 100.0%), specificity of 100% (95% CI: 69.2% to 100.0%) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (84.6% to 100.0%). Conclusion: Sideline use of CCP was undertaken successfully by non-medically trained people and provided a reliable platform for concussion identification.© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/AssessmentConcussionFemaleFootballPitchsideSidelineSoccer32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences3202 Clinical SciencesClinical ResearchPhysical Injury - Accidents and Adverse Effects4.2 Evaluation of markers and technologies4 Detection, screening and diagnosis1103 Clinical Sciences1109 Neurosciences1701 Psychology3202 Clinical sciences3209 Neurosciences5202 Biological psychologyJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1016/j.jns.2024.123011