What we know – and what we don’t know – about the risks of rugby for adolescents | Letters

Sean Ingle is right to mention the benefits of rugby, but, as he suggests, there is a balance to be found in weighing the risks that contact sport poses to the developing brain (Should under-18 rugby be banned? No. But tell that to parents of a child with concussion, February 5).

Concussions in the adolescent age group present a unique challenge, especially given the varied nature and duration of symptoms. Interestingly, those we see in our complex case clinics often demonstrate significant psychological involvement in their long-term concussion symptoms, in many cases arising from concerns about long-term cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, we cannot avoid the problems with young people and their parents; we need to be honest about what we know about the risks of single or repeated concussions, and what we don’t know yet.

There is evidence that in terms of long-term risks of brain damage, repeated ‘sub-concussive’ head impacts and years of playing are potentially of greater importance, but that does not mean that identification and effective management of potential concussions are not hugely important. important in both the basic and professional game.

Contact sports will never be completely without risk, but having witnessed the willingness with which the schools and clubs we work with have embraced the importance of managing the risks of head injuries and concussions, the future of rugby may not be as bleak as some suggest. .
Dr. Mike Forsythe
Deputy head of sports medicineBack2Play