Headgear may not prevent concussions

June 21, 2023

The rugby player crouches down and braces. Another player runs towards them and the bracer lunges at them. The bodies collide and the runner falls back onto the ground. The bracer returns to their feet while the runner slowly turns and looks to the ground. Nearby lays the runner’s headgear.

Headgear is often a padded helmet that rugby players might wear. The idea is that headgear will prevent brain injuries, though recent concussion research suggests otherwise. In a review paper, researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 rugby and soccer players and found that headgear did not reduce the number of sport-related concussions. This suggests that the effectiveness of headgear against lacerations and abrasions might not carry over to concussions, including in collision sports like rugby.

 

To read the full article, visit the journal Sports Health 

To learn more about rugby injuries and how to prevent, visit the Rugby page on Active and Safe.