Research suggests one season of rugby can impact cognitive function of players

New research from the University of South Wales examining the impact of sports-related concussion on cognitive function has found that players experience reduced blood blow to the brain and decreased cognitive function after just one season.

The research team conducted two concurrent studies, one monitoring the current Cardiff Blues rugby team over the course of a sports' season, and the other study examining a group of retired rugby players aged between 60 and 80.

The researchers aimed to discover the impact of recurrent concussion across the lifespan of rugby union players, with the first study looking at the effects of sport-related concussion on a person’s brain function and cognitive ability while the second examined the consequences of concussion on brain health across the adult lifespan.

PhD student Tom Owens, co-leads the research, said in a statement:

This research into the correlation between head injury and the likelihood of cognitive impairment joins several other studies which have found a similar relationship.

Find out more about this topic:

• Read the press release (paper due to be published in the Journal of Experimental Physiology the September)

• James et al (2021) A population-based study of head injury, cognitive function and pathological markers

• Arciniegas et al (2002) Cognitive Impairment Following Traumatic Brain Injury

• Luukinen (1999) Head injuries and cognitive decline among older adults: a population-based study