Eighty-seven per cent of cyclists believe helmets can prevent concussion, according to a survey of cyclists in New Zealand.
While most participants said they wore a helmet when cycling, many misunderstood how to best use helmets to help prevent head injury.
Nine in ten agreed that a helmet should be replaced after a fall, but just over a third had not replaced their helmet after an accident and continued to use it.
Many respondents reported cracking or otherwise damaging their helmet but didn’t feel at any increased risk of concussion.
Reasons for not doing so included the cost of buying a replacement, perceiving helmets as overrated, and seeing others riding with a damaged helmet.
The researchers, from Auckland University of Technology, found that younger cyclists and those who had previously had a concussion (59 per cent of respondents) demonstrated a better understanding of concussions than other participants.
However, of those who had experienced concussion, almost 18 per cent had never sought medical treatment for their concussion.
Participants were asked at the end of the survey if they had any further comments, and from these, the researchers concluded that concussion is underestimated and misunderstood, and that there is a need for a cycling-specific policy regarding concussion.
Most participants understood that concussions can occur without hitting their head of losing consciousness, and could recognise the symptoms associated with concussion, including dizziness, amnesia, confusion, headache, poor balance, fatigue and nausea.
However, the researchers also found confusion around the different symptoms of concussion and more severe brain injury, which could impact accessing appropriate medical help.
‘The study found high to very high levels of concussion knowledge, although knowledge of the function of helmets was very low,’ the paper states.
“There appeared to be discrepancies between knowledge and attitudes, and behaviour toward health care-seeking and replacing a helmet after a hit to the head, highlighting the complexities around decision-making.’
The researchers call for clearer, consistent public health messaging across sports to clarify messaging around concussion, as well as cycling-specific messaging for issues such as helmet use from cycling organisations.
While there’s very good evidence of reduced injury severity and reduced poor outcomes, there’s no data to suggest bicycle helmets prevent concussion, confirms Willie Stuart, clinical associate professor at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology Administration.
“They are similar design to all other protective headgear in intent, and various studies of headgear in various sports show no concussion benefit,” he says.
“Bicycle helmets are not intended for concussion protection, but are intended to mitigate against fractures scalp injuries penetrating injuries etc which can complicate traumatic brain injury.”
Helmet testing in labs is typically based on drop tests, testing impact, Stuart says, whereas rotation is what a factor of concussion, which helmets don’t help to prevent.
