It is no secret the danger head injuries can pose for player safety in contact sports. While the public is aware of the danger of large hits and concussions, many remain unaware of the danger small blows to the head can have on an individual. Formally, these incidents are known as subconcussive impacts, which are defined as blows to the head that result in mild brain trauma without the presentation of typical concussion symptoms. Recent studies have indicated repetitive subconcussive impacts can lead to cumulative, long-term brain damage. This discovery has been increasingly alarming for rugby players who can average 77 of these impacts per game! With the discovery of this newfound danger, the question must be asked: what is being done to protect at risk rugby players?
The sport of rugby is a unique blend of the pace of soccer and the physicality of football, with one important caveat: there is no padding or helmets worn by the players as seen in the photo above. Over the course of a match players will experience numerous subconcussive impacts, which over time can lead to serious neurological problems. Today, great efforts are being made to develop new bio-mechanical devices that will reduce the forces applied to the brain during these impacts. Two devices in particular, a soft-shelled head guard and a jugular vein compression collar, have shown great promise in limiting the effect of subconcussive impacts on rugby players.
To begin with, the soft-shelled head guard, known as the N-Pro, utilizes new developments in the field of polymer technology to improve upon the existing foam-based, rugby head gear. Instead of traditional foam, the N-Pro, uses a proprietary viscoelastic polymer, known as Defentex, to better absorb impact forces focused on the head and neck. This polymer uses a combination of soft, elastic segments for force absorption and firmer segments for strength and rigidity. When subjected to rigorous testing, seen in the image to the right, that mimics the typical linear and rotational forces experienced by a player during a rugby match the N-Pro was shown to significantly reduce the forces being imparted on the brain. The link to the study can be found in the additional reading at the end of this article.
The jugular vein compression collar, seen in the image below, takes an entirely different approach to combat the issue of repetitive subconcussive impacts in contact sports, including rugby. Believe it or not, the inspiration for this device actually comes from the biological phenomenon observed in woodpeckers as they hammer away at trees! The collar functions by lightly compressing the jugular vein, which in turn increases the amount of blood in the wearer’s cranium. In theory, the increase in blood within the skull should increase the brain’s resistance to movement caused by cranial impacts. Preliminary studies have shown that the compressive collar could be a viable option to help combat the effects of repetitive subconcussive impacts that rugby players experience. The link to the original research can be found at the end of the article
While there is still much work to be done in relation to the effect of repetitive subconcussive impacts, the N-Pro head gear and the compression collar are certainly a step in the right direction for player safety. These two devices have the potential to have a tremendous impact on the long-term neurological health of rugby players and athletes in general for years to come!
Featured image from Pixaby license.
Additional Reading: N-Pro Head Gear Study, Compression Collar Study, Effect of Repetitive Subconcussive Impacts