Uni of Essex works with Colchester Rugby Club to test concussions

The trial is the first of its kind and has the potential to transform player safety across the globe.

It will span an entire amateur season at the Colchester Rugby Club.

The study comes after the devastating impact of repeat head trauma was highlighted after England ace Steve Thompson and former Wales Captain Ryan Jones announced they are suffering early onset dementia.

The research team from Essex’s School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, will record impacts and rotational forces experienced by players.

The forces will be recorded using wearable GPS units with embedded AI.

Both the devices and rigorous scientific testing will allow Dr Ben Jones to study the first team and youth side over the 22 games of the rugby season.

Across eight months, forward and back players baseline brain activation will be monitored off-pitch, cognition testing and near infrared sensors.

This will allow the sports scientists to see if and why key measures of cognition, like brain oxygenation levels and differences in general blood flow, are affected.

Dr Jones is a former England 7s international, who also played scrumhalf for Premiership Rugby sides Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors.

He said: “This isn’t a case of trying to make the game soft or ruining it for the millions of people who enjoy it the world over, we just need to know more about its potential risks.   
“For years elite athletes have had the benefit of high-level analysis whereas the clubhouses that are the foundation of the game have been left behind.   
“Through this study, we can help improve safety and safeguard the sport for future generations.”   

The study will also assess the location and effect of persistent low-level impacts, to understand if tackles, small collisions and bumps affect mental ability.

There are also ongoing talks with governing bodies to introduce sensor equipped head guards, that will provide additional data on concussion risk.