Concussion in Sport Research

[Cleoriff]

Richard Dunwoody, retired jump jockey, is involved in a new research project...Concussion In Sport.

This project looks at the long term effects of repeated concussion on sports competitors. Early reports are suggesting  people involved in contact sport have an increased incidence, or suffer an earlier onset, of neuro-degenerative disorders. This could lead to Alzheimers disease

Dunwoody, who experienced a number of bad falls during his career ...is certain the concussion he sustained is the reason he now has severe memory loss.

Funding and support for the study, which will then extend to all sports in which concussion is a recognised risk, has come from a range of sources, including the Injured Jockeys' Fund, racehorse owners Godolphin, American football's NFL.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/35364444

Incidentally I have read the NFL are also carrying out similar research in the USA

[Bambino]

This is what Will Smith's latest film is about. I haven't seen it, but apparently it's a very good performance in a very controversial film.

[Cleoriff]

Yes it was featured in the BBC bulletin this morning Lou. Apparently the NFL decided to run a research project after being sued for millions by injured American football players...In fairness to them they did a complete turnaround and are now funding this research in other countries...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion_%282015_film%29

[viridis]

Makes for interesting reading @Cleoriff
I've often wondered about the long term health implications when you see sports with repeated concussion injuries.
Surely boxing too would be under scrutiny?

[jonsie]

Concussion in sport has long been a worry and sportsmen who take a head knock in this country are now tested before allowing to continue. Many have finished a game previously without recollection of events following concussion. 

Allegedly too many head knocks is the reason for Muhammed Ali's current illness with Parkison's Disease.

[Cleoriff]

I think boxing has been recognised as one of the worst sports for long term brain neurological issues @viridis

http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2015/02/boxers-brain-head-injury

Audley Harrison gave up the sport after reading head and brain injury research results.

Apparently Mohammed Ali had long term medical consultations to decide whether his sport gave him early onset Parkinsons disease.....

[jonsie]

On a lighter note, I think Audley Harrison gave up boxing because he was useless and more susceptible to head injury. ...

[Cleoriff]

Rugby players are currently under ongoing review as well.

However, this research project (Concussion In Sport) is slightly different. It looks for volunteers from the sports world to investigate whether they have long term neuro damage due to participation in contact sports in the past. Richard Dunwoody retired from horse racing in 1999 due to a severe neck/head injury he sustained after a fall...

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

On a lighter note, I think Audley Harrison gave up boxing because he was useless and more susceptible to head injury. ...

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That may have been the case @jonsie...the words I used were taken from a statement by Harrison himself...:smileywink: (It was probably his reason/excuse?)

[Bambino]

When the US stripped Ali of his title because he wouldn't serve in the army on religious grounds, to try to make a living he went to Japan to do exhibition matches with Japanese kick boxers. Getting kicked in the head didn't help much.