Sep 02, 2021 07:00:00

Is there any damage to the brain from playing rugby?

Rugby involves players forming scrums and violently colliding their bodies, but the intensity is so great that I wonder if there is any damage to the body. Research by Thomas Owens of the University of South Wales and others has revealed the impact that playing rugby for one season has on the cognitive functions of rugby players.

Contact events in rugby union and the link to reduced cognition: evidence for impaired redox‐regulation of cerebrovascular function - Owens - 2021 - Experimental Physiology - Wiley Online Library
https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/EP089330

New head impact study reveals rugby players' brains affected in just a single season - Buzz.ie
https://www.buzz.ie/sport/rugby/new-head-impact-study-reveals-24878966

Owens and colleagues conducted cognitive function tests and venous blood ultrasound tests on 21 professional rugby players who played in the United Rugby Championship before and after the season. We investigated how it affects functionality.

In the single season studied, there were six concussions, five for forwards and one for backs. Scrumming forwards had more contact with other players than backs, averaging around seven collisions, three tackles and two jackals over the course of a season.

The results of brain and cognitive function tests also revealed that players who played rugby for one season had decreased oxygen supply to their brains, leading to a decline in cognitive function. We also know that players who played as forwards were more affected than those who played as backs.

Owens et al. 'Long-term studies comparing both active and retired players are needed, as the effects may accumulate over time.' said.

Since 2020, 200 former rugby players have started legal battles claiming they suffered 'permanent brain damage'. Taking a serious look at the situation, the international sports federation World Rugby made reference to this research and announced that it would ``double its investment in concussion research.'' We are beginning to investigate the issue.