HEAD INJURIES IN SPORT. DEMENTIA IN SPORT

Footballers are 3½ times more likely to suffer from dementia and similar conditions. Cases such as that of former West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle and members of the 1966 England World Cup squad including Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles who have died after suffering from brain functioning diseases believed to be linked closely to heading footballs are some examples of the truth behind this. The Jeff Astle Foundation was set up after the death of footballer Jeff Astle who was the ‘first British professional footballer confirmed to have died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive, degenerative brain disease found in individuals (usually athletes) with a history of head injury, often as a result of multiple concussions. In Jeff Astle’s case, it was the repeated, low level brain trauma believed to have been caused from the repeated heading of footballs.’

HEAD INJURIES IN SPORT-HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

The link between sport and head injuries led the FA to introduce new header guidance to English football. The guidance states that “It will be recommended that a maximum of ten higher force headers are carried out in any training week.” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said that the FA is introducing “the most comprehensive adult football guidelines anywhere. Our heading guidance now reaches across all players, at all levels of the game. These measures have been developed following studies with coaches and medics and represent a cautious approach whilst we learn more. We are committed to further medical research to gain an understanding of any risks within football, in the meantime, this reduces a potential risk factor"

RUGBY LESSONS

Rugby also has a lot to learn. Research shows that 20% of rugby injuries are head injuries. Many rugby players have been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. There is currently a list of more than 150 former players who are taking legal action against World Rugby, England’s Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union for brain injuries. World Cup winner Steve Thompson, former Wales back-row Alix Popham and ex-England flanker Michael Lipman were the first players to confirm they were part of the test group for the lawsuit, with all three revealing they had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE. In rugby, concussion takes place frequently with many high-impact collisions just look at the recent example of the opening minutes of Wales' Six Nations clash with France as Tomos Williams appeared to suffer a serious head injury.

HEAD INJURIES IN SPORT- BELATED PROTOCOLS

According to A Delicate Game: Brain Injury, Sport and Sacrifice by Hana Walker-Brown ‘After collisions crucial tau proteins begin to build up inside the brain. These have a degenerative effect and sufferers typically enter several stages of decline‘ The publication details how sports are ‘belatedly introducing protocols that require players to leave the field of play after an incident and take enforced breaks from fixtures if they have officially suffered a concussion. Yet the overall impression to take from this is how many sports bosses are still reluctant to admit they have a problem.’ For many players, the research and the changes to football and rugby are too little too late.

SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY IN SPORT?

Head and brain injuries happen in all sorts of sports, not just rugby or football

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