Sports-related concussions have been recongized as a public health concern among athletes. Previous literature indicates that contact or collision sports have a higher incidence of concussions than non-contact sports. Taekwondo (TKD), a combat sport, has been reported to have a concussion rate, per 1000 A-E, to range from 1.0 to 55.2 in males and from 2.4 to 49.3 in females. The overall purpose of this study was to assess the current knowledge of and attitude toward sport-related concussions (SRC) in a population of TKD athletes. The present study used a mixed methodological design which included a modified Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitude Survey (RoCKAS) and a semi-structured interview. The population usable for data analysis consisted of 97 males and 73 females. Eight males and seven females completed the interview at an average of 20.93 minutes per interview. The overall mean scores for the CKI and CAI were 18.71 plus or minus 3.93 and 56.25 plus or minus 8.70, respectively. Educational format was shown to have a significant effect on athlete’s knowledge and attitudes. Between-group comparisons concluded that athletes educated by a health care provider were more knowledgeable than those that had not receive any formal concussion education. Conversely, athletes, regardless of the education format. had similar attitudes toward concussions. During the interview, participants endorsed a number of accurate signs and symptoms of concussions; however, responses identified discrepancies in risks both safe and risky attitudes towards concussion. Overall, the results of the current study indicated moderate concussion knowledge with potentially risky attitudes. Most TKD athletes had a good general sense and practical understanding of signs and symptoms of concussions. However, there are some deficiencies in concussions knowledge and risks along with misconceptions towards concussions bringing their attitude into question. These findings are capable of providing the groundwork for TKD governing bodies to develop education materials, regarding injury risks, symptomology, assessment, and the consquences of mismanaging a concussion, for TKD athletes and competitors.
