Sport, concussion and student subcultures: the duty of care in neoliberal universities

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Malcolm, D and Hardwicke, J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1152-0920, 2025. Sport, concussion and student subcultures: the duty of care in neoliberal universities. Sport, Education and Society. ISSN 1357-3322 (Forthcoming)

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Abstract

This article provides the first analysis of how the distinctive characteristics of the neoliberal university environment can shape students’ experiences of and rehabilitation from sport-related concussion. The research was stimulated by knowledge that concerns about the dangers of concussion among young people have led to the development of prescriptive precautionary guidelines, yet no university-specific policy or guidance currently exists in the UK. Concomitantly, these universities have expanded and promoted sport opportunities as part of the broader ‘student experience’ being offered. Based on interviews with 10 rugby playing student athletes, we sought to understand what happens when students are concussed during sport, how these experiences align with concussion management protocols, and how healthcare and student learning needs are enabled and/or constrained within the University context. We found that UK university students exhibit injury-related behaviours which are common to sporting populations but that cultural norms within university sport subcultures alongside nuances of identity management present distinct social dilemmas which disincentivize compliance with guidance for safer post-concussion behaviours. Uniquely, we highlight structural limitations in how concussed players are supported through both healthcare and academic study. The reliance on individual responsibility for healthcare following a concussion leads to sub-optimum rehabilitation, which leads us to argue that it is time for greater attention toward a duty of care within the UK university sector regarding the student-sport environment. This is a particularly pressing matter when concerning sporting activities known to involve a relatively high risk for concussive injuries such as contact sports.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Sport, Education and Society
Creators:	Malcolm, D. and Hardwicke, J.
Publisher:	Routledge
Date:	4 January 2025
ISSN:	1357-3322
Identifiers:	Number Type 2332132 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	08 Jan 2025 13:47
Last Modified:	08 Jan 2025 13:48
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52819