NRL players' brains shown to be more damaged than brains of non-players, says neuroscientist
8 years ago

NRL players' brains shown to be more damaged than brains of non-players, says neuroscientist

ABC  

There is growing evidence that repeated concussions to rugby league players have a long-term effect, says neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce. Key points: The study found former players had worse memories and reaction times A 2015 rule change said players suspected of having a concussion had to undergo formal head injury assessment Over the weekend two players were allowed to play without proper checks after getting knocked down Dr Pearce, from La Trobe University, recently completed a study comparing 25 former NRL players now aged in their fifties to 25 men of a similar age. "What I've found is that the responses of retired rugby league players was significantly different to the healthy controls with no history of head injury," Dr Pearce said. Medical staff 'doing the best job they can' NRL rules around concussion were changed in 2015, and state that players must undergo a formal head injury assessment if they are suspected of having a concussion. In a statement it said "The NRL reviews all concussions and head injury assessments."

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History of this topic

Rugby's concussion debate is more than just 'scaremongering', writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI - here's why Sam Warburton is wrong and the sport cannot rest on its laurels despite the progress made to make th
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Rugby's concussion debate is more than just 'scaremongering', writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI - here's why Sam Warburton is wrong and the sport cannot rest on its laurels despite the progress made to make th

Daily Mail  

Alix Popham was up at 5am the other day, but it was nothing unusual for him. Others have it worse than me.’ Former Wales star Alix Popham, 45, was diagnosed with early onset dementia when he was 40 Popham is one of several ex-stars campaigning for better awareness of brain injuries in rugby He is among 500 former players that …

How AI is revolutionising rugby's concussion problem... and why an ex-England captain is investing in the technology
1 month ago

How AI is revolutionising rugby's concussion problem... and why an ex-England captain is investing in the technology

Daily Mail  

They are two of the biggest buzz words in society today and represent a growing force in almost all our lives, despite many of us not even being aware. Former England captain Courtney Lawes has invested in AI companies tacking concussion Lawes, who won 105 England caps and played for Lions, had his own battles with brain injuries Lawes took …

All you need to know about: concussions
1 month, 3 weeks ago

All you need to know about: concussions

The Hindu  

In the fourth T20I between India and England on January 31, 2025, Jamie Overton’s delivery struck Shivam Dube on the helmet during the 19th over. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden hit, jolt, or impact on the head or body, leading to rapid movement of the brain inside the skull. Causes and symptoms Concussions …

Tom Curry’s England return brings rugby’s concussion problem back under spotlight
4 months, 1 week ago

Tom Curry’s England return brings rugby’s concussion problem back under spotlight

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image …

Will Green interview: I know rugby has a concussion problem but I couldn’t lie
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Will Green interview: I know rugby has a concussion problem but I couldn’t lie

The Telegraph  

Instead, Green asked for the results of the MRI as well as the neurological examination he undertook at the same time. Why would I do that?” His patience exhausted, Green decided to take matters into his own hands by getting another MRI and neurological examinations from independent experts. have they been tested properly?’ Yet despite not signing its terms of …

A third of former NFL players surveyed believe they have CTE, researchers find
6 months, 1 week ago

A third of former NFL players surveyed believe they have CTE, researchers find

NPR  

A third of former NFL players surveyed believe they have CTE, researchers find toggle caption Jamie Squire/Getty Images One-third of former professional football players reported in a new survey that they believe they have the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. The research, published Monday in the medical journal JAMA Neurology, represents one of the broadest …

CTE confirmed after death of New Zealand professional rugby player
1 year ago

CTE confirmed after death of New Zealand professional rugby player

Associated Press  

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A New Zealand professional rugby player who died last year was suffering from a brain injury likely related to repeated blows to the head. CTE was noted by a New Zealand-based pathologist and the brain was sent to an Australian pathologist for a second opinion and “it was he who gave it the Stage 2 designation,” …

Football codes' lack of response to AIS concussion guidelines leaves players in limbo for 2024 season
1 year ago

Football codes' lack of response to AIS concussion guidelines leaves players in limbo for 2024 season

ABC  

The National Rugby League was in a jubilant mood over the weekend, partying in Las Vegas and raking in the bucks. Players across the codes who have died with CTE include Shane Tuck, Danny Frawley, Graham "Polly" Farmer, Murray Weideman, Heather Anderson, Paul Green, Steve Folkes, Peter Moscatt and David Gillespie. The AIS recommended athletes should wait at least 14 …

Rugby league to lower tackle height in bid to make sport safer
1 year, 3 months ago

Rugby league to lower tackle height in bid to make sport safer

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Even doctors can struggle to diagnose concussions
1 year, 4 months ago

Even doctors can struggle to diagnose concussions

Hindustan Times  

On June 23rd a court case brought by more than 200 rugby-union players kicked off in London. Away from professionally organised sports, where people take spills or butt heads without medical supervision, it is even harder to decide whether damage has been done. In May the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine published a new set of diagnostic criteria, under which …

Calls for more education and national database to deal with concussions in sport
1 year, 4 months ago

Calls for more education and national database to deal with concussions in sport

ABC  

A mother who was forced to say goodbye to her 20-year-old son after a fatal on-field collision during a football game is calling for better education around concussion. Key points: Antonio Loiacono died earlier this year after suffering critical injuries during a football match His mum Wendy Smith is calling for change when it comes to tracking head injuries and …

Rugby players suing over head injuries reaches almost 300 in landmark case - with World Cup 'the end of the sport as we know it', says expert
1 year, 7 months ago

Rugby players suing over head injuries reaches almost 300 in landmark case - with World Cup 'the end of the sport as we know it', says expert

Daily Mail  

Nearly 300 former rugby players are suing the game's authorities over head injuries. The players' case, against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union claims they received brain damage playing the sport. A former World Rugby adviser and brain expert has said the landmark case and its far-reaching implications on player welfare could change rugby forever after …

Quinn, Rodriguez among players wearing concussion collars during Women’s World Cup
1 year, 8 months ago

Quinn, Rodriguez among players wearing concussion collars during Women’s World Cup

The Hindu  

Several players at the Women’s World Cup are among the latest athletes spotted wearing concussion collars, which are intended to protect the brain during head impact. FIFA Women’s World Cup: Coach faces questions with Australia ‘teetering’ According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which authorised marketing of the Q-Collar in 2021, when players experience head trauma, the brain moves …

Repetitive heading may increase risk of cognitive impairment in later life - FA study
1 year, 8 months ago

Repetitive heading may increase risk of cognitive impairment in later life - FA study

The Hindu  

Researchers have found evidence suggesting that repetitive heading of balls during a professional football career is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment in later life, according to a study commissioned by England’s Football Association. “The former professional footballers who took part in the study were asked to recall how many times they headed the ball per typical match …

Attitudes in the AFL towards head contact must change, concussion expert Chris Nowinski says
1 year, 9 months ago

Attitudes in the AFL towards head contact must change, concussion expert Chris Nowinski says

ABC  

In short: The AFL is taking greater action to prevent concussions, which advocates and former players have praised The AFL is taking greater action to prevent concussions, which advocates and former players have praised What's next: Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski is urging the AFL to do more to prevent chronic traumatic encephalopathy An internationally-renowned advocate on the dangers of traumatic brain …

Sports concussions increase risk of injury: Study
1 year, 9 months ago

Sports concussions increase risk of injury: Study

Hindustan Times  

Concussions are an unfortunate part of junior and senior level contact sports. Sports concussions increase risk of injury: Study Published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, the world-first study tracked and evaluated the long-term impact of concussion and subsequent injury risk of 1455 sub-elite junior Australian rules football players. This builds on previous UniSA research that found …

Zac Stanton suffered a serious head injury while playing for an AFL Queensland club. A battle with his insurer followed
1 year, 10 months ago

Zac Stanton suffered a serious head injury while playing for an AFL Queensland club. A battle with his insurer followed

ABC  

The long-term effects of repeated head knocks in sport has recently been in the spotlight. "In terms of the brain injury, it's so uncertain," Zac says. But two years on from the incident, Zac says it has been a "massive battle" to get help, during the most difficult period of his life. "I'm disappointed in the club firstly and AFL …

Australian Medical Association supports concussion passport for contact sports after death of SA footballer
1 year, 11 months ago

Australian Medical Association supports concussion passport for contact sports after death of SA footballer

ABC  

The peak body for doctors has supported the idea of a concussion passport for athletes who play contact sports after the death of a South Australian footballer at the weekend. Key points: The Australian Medical Association's SA branch is supportive of a concussion passport The idea is that concussion records follow an athlete as they move between clubs The calls …

AFL concussion class action kicks off as league announces $25 million study of long-term health impacts
2 years ago

AFL concussion class action kicks off as league announces $25 million study of long-term health impacts

ABC  

Former Geelong star Max Rooke will be lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against the AFL, brought by players who claim to have been permanently damaged by concussions and other head knocks. Key points: Lawyers have lodged a class action by former AFL players suffering the long-term effects of concussion It comes as the AFL confirmed it would spend $25 …

Senate concussion inquiry told NRL, AFL 'more concerned with legal liability than player health'
2 years, 1 month ago

Senate concussion inquiry told NRL, AFL 'more concerned with legal liability than player health'

ABC  

Australia's major sporting codes are more concerned with legal liability arising from concussions than the health of players sustaining them, the head of an advocacy body has told an inquiry. Key points: A Senate inquiry is examining what more can be done to manage concussion in sport Medical experts say concussion is being taken more seriously, but additional measures need …

Submissions to Senate sports concussion inquiry call for more funding, research and education and consistent guidelines
2 years, 1 month ago

Submissions to Senate sports concussion inquiry call for more funding, research and education and consistent guidelines

ABC  

Australia's peak body for general practice has called for government investment to tackle the issue of concussion in sport, including research funding, bigger Medicare rebates for longer consults and the establishment of an Australia-wide concussion registry. Key points: A range of medical and legal groups and individuals are calling for urgent action on concussion in sport in response to a …

RFU act to protect players with lower tackles at amateur level
2 years, 2 months ago

RFU act to protect players with lower tackles at amateur level

Daily Mail  

English rugby on Thursday took an unprecedented step to try and reduce concussion risk at the grassroots level by lowering the height a player can legally tackle at. Tackles to the chest will be made illegal at the grassroots level in a bid to protect players ‘The tackle will remain the primary method of stopping the ball carrier using safe …

Fifa accused of ‘shocking’ complacency over head injuries as Alan Shearer calls for temporary concussion subs
2 years, 4 months ago

Fifa accused of ‘shocking’ complacency over head injuries as Alan Shearer calls for temporary concussion subs

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Alan Shearer has called for the immediate introduction …

Former Players to Sue French Rugby Authorities Over Concussion
2 years, 4 months ago

Former Players to Sue French Rugby Authorities Over Concussion

News 18  

A group of former players, including England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and All Black Carl Hayman, are to file legal action in France against the national rugby bodies over concussion, their lawyers told AFP on Wednesday. He is among nearly 200 former players who have already launched lawsuits against other governing bodies, including World Rugby. They argue that “the …

Brain injuries in amateur sport a concern for players, trainers, researchers
2 years, 4 months ago

Brain injuries in amateur sport a concern for players, trainers, researchers

ABC  

Toowoomba athlete Jade Hubbard has played most football codes, but after one too many head knocks, she has decided enough is enough. Key points: Research shows amateur players are as much at risk of brain injury from contact sports as professional peers A rugby union player says there needs to be more awareness and better support for concussions at a …

Football’s ‘stubbornness’ over concussion risking players’ health, charity warns
2 years, 4 months ago

Football’s ‘stubbornness’ over concussion risking players’ health, charity warns

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Football’s “stubbornness” towards dealing with head injuries is …

Former AFL player Shaun Smith unimpressed by league response to concussion researcher's plagiarism
2 years, 5 months ago

Former AFL player Shaun Smith unimpressed by league response to concussion researcher's plagiarism

ABC  

Inside a shed in an industrial estate on Melbourne's outskirts, former AFL player Shaun Smith puts the finishing touches on a bespoke bedside table. Key points: Paul McCrory's research laid the foundation for the AFL's current concussion guidelines The AFL investigated after he was accused of plagiarism and found some had occurred but it had not tainted his work Smith, …

Former England star Simon Halliday doesn't allow his children to play rugby due to concussion fears
2 years, 5 months ago

Former England star Simon Halliday doesn't allow his children to play rugby due to concussion fears

Daily Mail  

The extent to which fears around brain injuries have gripped rugby have been laid bare by an admission from Simon Halliday, the prominent former England international, that he would not let his children play the game. Former England star Simon Halliday revealed he does not allow his children to play rugby due to concerns over head trauma Concussion experts, meanwhile, …

Explaining the NFL's latest concussion controversy and policy change
2 years, 5 months ago

Explaining the NFL's latest concussion controversy and policy change

NPR  

Explaining the NFL's latest concussion controversy and policy change Enlarge this image toggle caption Edward Diller/Getty Images Edward Diller/Getty Images The NFL is once again under fire over concussions. Sponsor Message The investigation showed that the NFL's concussion protocol had been followed in evaluating Tagovailoa, who did not show concussion symptoms either during his mid-game medical evaluation on Sept. 25 …

James Graham was forced to return from concussions early which contributed toward brain damage
2 years, 5 months ago

James Graham was forced to return from concussions early which contributed toward brain damage

Daily Mail  

For the first time since retiring from the NRL in 2020, former prop James Graham decided to get an MRI to find out how much damage 100-plus concussions over his 423-career had caused. The scan found conclusive proof that he has brain damage from his time playing rugby league and the former Bulldogs and St. George Illawarra hardman wants the …

Rugby players 15 times more likely to develop motor neurone disease, new research finds
2 years, 5 months ago

Rugby players 15 times more likely to develop motor neurone disease, new research finds

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

How rugby, football and boxing could be played in the future
2 years, 5 months ago

How rugby, football and boxing could be played in the future

Daily Mail  

Dr William Stewart, who has paved the way the link between contact sports and neurodegenerative diseases, called on world bodies to cut back the number of tournaments, the length of seasons and frequency of games as part of 'big, bold action now' to reduce the risk to players in later life Contact sports such as rugby, football and ice hockey …

Premier League will meet with American football chiefs to discuss using AI to combat brain injuries
2 years, 5 months ago

Premier League will meet with American football chiefs to discuss using AI to combat brain injuries

Daily Mail  

The Premier League will meet with American football chiefs on Tuesday to discuss the use of their artificial intelligence technology in the fight against brain injuries. It provides a clearer picture of a player's head contacts, the reduction of which, according to the NFL's chief medical officer Dr Allen Sills, is the next frontier in the battle to prevent brain …

Landmark brain study stalls due to AFL's lack of support, researcher says
2 years, 7 months ago

Landmark brain study stalls due to AFL's lack of support, researcher says

ABC  

A leading brain disease researcher says his landmark taxpayer-funded study into the brains of footballers is likely to be wound up due to the AFL withdrawing its support. Key points: In 2014, the AFL launched a medical survey of hundreds of past players designed in part to determine how widespread CTE might be The results of the survey have never …

New report demonstrates causal link between head impacts and CTE for first time
2 years, 8 months ago

New report demonstrates causal link between head impacts and CTE for first time

New York Times  

A new report has demonstrated a causal link between repetitive head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy for the first time. The research, carried out by Harvard University, Oxford Brookes University and 11 other academic institutions, alongside analysis from the Concussion Legacy Foundation, has found “conclusive evidence” that the progressive brain disease can be linked to sub-concussive blows such as heading. …

High tackles and card confusion contribute to existential crisis in New Zealand rugby
2 years, 8 months ago

High tackles and card confusion contribute to existential crisis in New Zealand rugby

The Telegraph  

Melodramatic meltdowns and even national mourning are expected biproducts of poor results for the All Blacks. And the pervading attitude towards high tackles among New Zealanders, which amounts to a disconnect with most of the rest of the world, is a contributing factor. “We’ve got a real situation at the moment where rugby league and rugby union are competing and …

World Rugby change concussion stand-down period to 12 days
2 years, 9 months ago

World Rugby change concussion stand-down period to 12 days

The Telegraph  

"It's never a battle we're probably going to win, but the key for us is to keep advancing with the science and as quickly as possible. There are always going to be head impacts and concussions, we're never going to eradicate that with the nature of the sport we have is what I mean by a battle we won't ever …

Lewis Moody exclusive interview: How rugby can help solve its head injury crisis
2 years, 11 months ago

Lewis Moody exclusive interview: How rugby can help solve its head injury crisis

The Telegraph  

But Moody believes more safeguarding measures must be put in place away from the professional game. Let alone a doctor or physio… how do we support the grassroots game?” If Moody had the power to change one thing in rugby with regard to head injuries, what would it be? There wasn’t a huge amount of understanding around how you rehab …

Neurodegeneration linked to repetitive head injury found in brains of former Australian sports players
3 years, 1 month ago

Neurodegeneration linked to repetitive head injury found in brains of former Australian sports players

ABC  

Over half of brains donated to the Australian Sports Brain Bank have signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head, researchers have found. Key points: Australian data shows neurodegeneration in former professional and amateur athletes Brain disease is linked to the cumulative effect of many "subconcussive" head knocks over time Researchers have …

Leeds defend treatment of Robin Koch head injury as PFA attack ‘failing’ concussion protocols
3 years, 1 month ago

Leeds defend treatment of Robin Koch head injury as PFA attack ‘failing’ concussion protocols

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Leeds United have defended their medical staff’s treatment …

Professional Footballers Association recommends temporary concussion substitutes to further safeguard players
3 years, 1 month ago

Professional Footballers Association recommends temporary concussion substitutes to further safeguard players

Firstpost  

If players are replaced in football, they cannot return to the field. Manchester: Temporary concussion substitutes are needed to safeguard players because of the pressure on medical teams to make quick assessments, the English Professional Footballers’ Association said Monday. “The injury to Leeds United’s Robin Koch demonstrates again that the current concussion protocols within football are failing to prioritise player …

Alix Popham: Former Wales international, 42, suffering early onset dementia
3 years, 1 month ago

Alix Popham: Former Wales international, 42, suffering early onset dementia

The Independent  

Despite all the suffering and worry the sport has inflicted on Alix Popham and his family, the former Wales international will still be watching how his country fares in this year’s Six Nations. The former back-rower, 42, was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy in April 2020; he can barely remember most of …

You need to know about head injury and dementia, even if you're not a football player
3 years, 2 months ago

You need to know about head injury and dementia, even if you're not a football player

Salon  

My father has dementia. RELATED: "Dementia brings up everything": Two new books offer emotional advice for caregivers As the Alzheimer's Association explains, "Certain types of traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's or another type of dementia years after the injury takes place." In other words, while "There's no evidence that a single mild traumatic brain injury …

New research provides further evidence Dave Watson has CTE, say family
3 years, 3 months ago

New research provides further evidence Dave Watson has CTE, say family

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The family of former England captain Dave Watson …

Bobbie Goulding one of 10 former rugby league players planning to sue RFL over concussion risks
3 years, 5 months ago

Bobbie Goulding one of 10 former rugby league players planning to sue RFL over concussion risks

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The players …

Op-Ed: 5 steps to protect football players’ brains and keep the sport alive
3 years, 7 months ago

Op-Ed: 5 steps to protect football players’ brains and keep the sport alive

LA Times  

Helmet technology is improving, but football players are also bigger than ever and colliding with more force. Having represented professional athletes since 1975, I’ve been worrying about football players’ health since long before the first diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a former NFL player, in 2002. The best way to keep football alive is to ensure standardized safety protocols …

Football has duty to look after former players with dementia, says Brian Deane
3 years, 7 months ago

Football has duty to look after former players with dementia, says Brian Deane

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sixty former players aged between 30 and 70 have thrown their support …

Benjamin Pavard: Handling of France star’s head injury ‘sickening’, brain injury charity claim
3 years, 9 months ago

Benjamin Pavard: Handling of France star’s head injury ‘sickening’, brain injury charity claim

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The handling of France full-back Benjamin Pavard’s head …

Concussion expert Alan Pearce warns AFL, NRL have 'out-clauses' in protocols for players missing time after head knocks
3 years, 10 months ago

Concussion expert Alan Pearce warns AFL, NRL have 'out-clauses' in protocols for players missing time after head knocks

ABC  

Neuroscientist Alan Pearce has warned that the AFL and NRL were still giving themselves "out-clauses" when it came to issues of concussion and standing down players, and that both contact sports had a lot of work still to do. Key points: Both the AFL and NRL have introduced measures to help with concussion this year, from a newly available medical …

Rugby player develops device to track head trauma after teammate forced to quit sport
3 years, 11 months ago

Rugby player develops device to track head trauma after teammate forced to quit sport

The Independent  

A rugby player has developed a wearable device to monitor head trauma after a teammate was forced to stop playing the sport due to injury. trying to understand that if you could catch these impacts before, or even understand what led to that concussion - whether it be multiple impacts, or one big one - then there might be better …

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