Government to develop new protocols around concussion in sport

The Government has published an action plan on tackling concussion in sport to help reduce risks associated with head injuries.

• New protocols to be developed in partnership with medical experts and sports governing bodies
• A concussion research forum will be formed to address knowledge gaps
• Tech companies brought together to develop solutions for monitoring impact

The plan sets out steps that will be taken to improve understanding, awareness, prevention and treatment of concussion in sport in grassroots, educational and elite settings. This will be through a combination of improved research and the use of new technologies.

These include creating new protocols for sporting bodies, convening a research forum and bringing together tech companies to find new technological solutions designed to mitigate both the effects of concussion in sport and instances of it happening.

Participation in sport and physical activity provides significant mental health and wellbeing benefits for people including reducing their risk of developing dementia in later life. Being active has been shown to help prevent or lower the risk of health conditions like stroke, heart disease, cancer and depression and can help reduce pressure on the NHS in the longer term.

However, in recent years there has been an increased focus on the negative health impacts from brain injury and concussion sustained while playing sport. This is due to advances in training, coaching, equipment and technology which have resulted in stronger, faster, better-trained players across all sports and at all levels.

Click HERE for the full release of the Action Plan.