Knowledge News and Insights

There is growing concern internationally about the incidence of sport-related concussions and the health ramifications for athletes. Primary concerns are around the time required to gradually return to school, work, and sports after sustaining a concussion. While medical professionals have put in place return-to-play guidelines, incorrect concussion management and failure to follow protocols can have a detrimental impact on brain injury rehabilitation. Recent studies have shown that early intervention post-concussion incidences are linked to faster recovery. Therefore, improving concussion awareness and education amongst athletes, parents, teachers, coaches, and support staff is crucial.

A head impact by either a direct blow or indirect transmission of force can be associated with a serious and potentially fatal brain injury. Therefore, any athlete with a suspected concussion must be immediately removed from play to undergo a concussion test commonly referred to as the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, or SCAT. Concussion signs and symptoms may evolve over time and failure to conduct a concussion assessment can lead to long-term cognitive and physical injuries.

The Crusaders win again! Another Super Rugby championship for HITIQ's client the Crusaders, ensuring they remain the most successful team in the competitions history.

Female sport is on the up. Record levels of participation at grassroots have been inspired by growing professionalism and elite performance amongst the very best. FIFA has described women’s football as the ‘single biggest growth opportunity in football’. World Rugby states that a quarter of the playing population is now female with a 28% increase in registered players since 2017. A similar story exists in Australia where latest figures show that 40% of grassroots Aussie rules players are female, up from 30% in 2017 when the AFLW launched.

Evidence linking multiple head impacts and issues in later life continues to grow. However, studies attempting to detect signs of concussion-related issues in young adults have offered mixed results. This could be due to a lack of sensitivity in testing protocols or other factors such as a lack of pre and post-incident testing and therefore data. The new HITIQ virtual reality system, COVR, aims to address these issues. It will enhance data collection and analysis, creating a clearer view of concussion consequences in the short and long term.

Evidence is increasingly showing a difference between the way males and females experience concussion. Here, HITIQ takes a look at the latest research to find out what the differences are, why they occur and what sport should do to protect female athletes.

Professional football’s focus on concussion and player welfare is continuing to develop. The latest in a number of initiatives has been announced by the Spanish footballing authorities in collaboration with FIFPRO and European Leagues.

Concussion collaboration gives greater focus on player education amongst Spanish professional football

HITIQ technology is being used by scientists in the USA to better understand impacts in football. But how will the technology and increased understanding it brings off the field, translate into increased player safety on it?

Most people who have suffered a concussion will have been advised that rest and relaxation should be the mainstay of their recovery strategy. However, new evidence suggests that a gradual return to aerobic exercise could be the best treatment, particularly in young people.

The UK government has produced a 10 point plan to tackle the issue of concussion across sport. In many instances, sports have been left to develop protocols and procedures on their own. This attempt by the British Government to develop concussion protocols that will apply to sport across the country is a bold and innovative step forward.

There is growing concern that the accumulation of head impacts during a sportsperson's career could lead to issues associated with long-term brain health.