In the midst of a growing legal storm involving professional and amateur rugby players taking action against World Rugby, the RFU, and the WRU, a groundbreaking study has found no evidence that concussions in amateur sports lead to long-term cognitive decline.
A collaborative study conducted by UNSW Sydney, the University of Oxford, and Harvard University has revealed that amateur athletes who suffered concussions across various sports often demonstrated better cognitive function than those who had never experienced a concussion.
“Our findings suggest that there is something about playing sport, even with the risk of concussion, that may actually be beneficial for long-term cognitive health,” said Dr. Matt Lennon from the University of New South Wales.
“While it could be argued that athletes might have better education or access to resources, we controlled for these factors, and they don’t explain the results. We believe that the physical, social, and long-term behavioural aspects of sport contribute to healthier brains later in life.”
The study involved more than 15,000 participants aged between 50 and 90 as part of an ongoing NHS-backed investigation into brain ageing and cognitive decline. Interestingly, those who suffered concussions while playing sports had better processing speed and attention spans compared to those who sustained head injuries in non-sport-related incidents, such as falls or car accidents.
The researchers were quick to highlight the limitations of their study, particularly noting that the findings do not extend to professional sports, where head injuries are more frequent, debilitating, and severe.
At a time when rugby’s legal battles have drawn political interest, especially following the recent BBC documentary Rugby on Trial, this study underscores the potential benefits of sports participation despite the risks involved.
“This research suggests that the long-term benefits of sports might outweigh the potential negative impacts of concussions, which could have significant implications for policies surrounding contact sports,” said Professor Vanessa Raymont from the University of Oxford. “It’s also possible that head injuries outside of sports cause more substantial brain damage than concussions sustained during sports activities.”
Photo: Massimo Insabato/Alamy Live News
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
