Rugby players’ brains affected by concussion after being cleared to play

Grassroots rugby concussion guidelines need to be improved as players’ brains remain altered despite them being symptom free and cleared to play, researchers have found.

The University of Essex is the first to follow an amateur club across a gruelling 22-game season using brain imaging technology.

The study led by Dr Ben Jones found seven out of eight concussed players still had abnormal brain responses 25 days after injury - despite feeling well enough to return to the field under Rugby Football Union clearance protocols.

Working with Colchester Rugby Club and wearable tech company PhysiGo Dr Jones used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to study brain activity.

In total eight concussions were captured and monitored by Dr Jones and his team across the 41 players studied.

Nearly all showed brain activity changes that were above normal readings - and didn’t return to normal before the end of the World Rugby Graduated Return to play protocol.

Dr Jones, a former England 7’s international, who also played for Northampton Saints and Worchester Warriors, has called for current guidelines to be revised to improve player safety.

“This study shows that the current protocols are limited and may not be enough on its own for effective concussion recovery,” said Dr Jones.

“Our research suggests more individualised approaches utilising personalised concussions monitoring using tools like fNIRS could improve player safety.

“Rugby has given me so much and this research is not about ruining the game for the millions of players worldwide.

“This research should ensure the long-term safety of the grassroots players – who are rugby’s lifeblood.”

'Real learning experience'

The academic - from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences - thoughts were echoed by PhysiGo’s Dr Jay Perrett – who said:   “The study shows that the community game needs cost effective solutions for players and clubs to measure concussive and rotational force (whiplash) events and assist in the monitoring of their recovery.”

The paper, published in Sports Medicine-Open, involved 67 participants - 41 rugby players and 26 non-players.

Baseline fNIRS tests of all participants were taken at the beginning, middle, and end of the season.

As they recovered brains were monitored whilst they completed simple cognitive tasks like Where’s Wally puzzles.

Dr Jones hopes brain imaging could be incorporated into concussion protocols to help protect players.

Colchester Rugby Club is continuing to work with Dr Jones and his team – with the study being expanded to the women’s team.

Club chairman, Karl O'Brien, said: "It has been great to work with Dr Jones on this ground-breaking study and has been a real learning experience for the players and the club.

“The lessons learnt are something that the club and the club’s medical team have benefitted from and will continue to do so over the coming seasons.”