Sporting " Brain Damage " !

We are a nation that takes the safety of individuals very seriously.  When we drive a car or ride in one as a passenger the law requires that we buckle up the seat belt to limit the extent of injuries received in a crash.  The law extends that safety precaution to all forms of two wheeled transport.  Those who use motorbikes or the humble bicycle for transport have a need to wear a protective helmet or they could face a heavy fine.

Unfortunately, those who compete on our sporting fields seem no better protected than the gladiators who performed in the Coliseum back in the days of the Roman empire. In particular, the game of Rugby pits a physical clash of humans in  which head trauma is common.  Until recently, leaving the field was seen as " weakness " and players who had obviously suffered concussion usually played on - to the cheers of the crowd.

Research carried out by the Royal Price Alfred hospital, the NSW Health Pathology and the University of Sydney's  Brain and Mind Centre have delivered a chilling finding.   The brains of two deceased senior Rugby League players showed clear evidence that they suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy years after they ceased  playing. - which is abbreviated to " CTE " .  This is brain damage that manifests itself as depression, mood swings, short term memory loss and dementia, and some research suggests it also plays a part in the risk of suicide.

By the very nature of the rules of play it is highly likely that all the codes of Rugby can cause its players CTE affliction and the same would be present to a lesser extend with  Australian Rules players.  Even the game of Soccer involves players " heading " the ball and that impact is also capable of delivering CTE damage.

It is seriously suggested that all forms of sport where head clashes are possible should be revised to mandate the wearing of head protection,  Those who watch American football on TV will have noted that players wear protective helmets similar to those worn by motorbike riders.   Where the heads of competing players impact, the risk of brain damage is obviously substantially reduced.

All forms of football is seen as a clash of warriors on the playing field and that bodily impact is what has the crowd cheering. The wearing of helmets may not be popular with spectators and even rejected by those playing the game but unless head protection is improved there is a real risk of CTE showing up in similar manner to the " punch drunk " demeanour  of those who fought in the skill of boxing.  In that game, points are won by successfully delivering blows to the opponents head.

Some Rugby players already wear a form of head protection and this seems accepted by both the game rules - and the spectators. The rules currently in place means any signs of concussion requires the player to leave the field and receive medical attention.  That is an improvement, but the time seems right to amend the rules and make it compulsory for players to wear head protection to ensure they are not afflicted with CTE in old age.