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Brain Health Initiative launched just weeks after Hayman story
By PA
Former and current professional players are being told by a new World Rugby initiative that depression and alcohol consumption are among twelve possible risk factors for dementia. The Brain Health Initiative, which is supported by the International Rugby Players Association, comes as the game’s authorities face legal action over an alleged failure to protect players from the risks of concussion.
World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union are facing a lawsuit from in excess of 150 former players who are suffering from traumatic brain injury, early-onset dementia and probable CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). This was a lawsuit recently joined by Carl Hayman, the former All Blacks prop.
But as part of the new campaign, leading independent experts have outlined twelve modifiable risk factors for dementia and “how rugby can play a positive role in reducing many of these”.
Also among the possible causes of the condition are a lack of physical activity, air pollution, a lack of social interaction, smoking, obesity and brain injury.
“Long-term cognitive health is extremely complex and dementia isn’t necessarily a consequence of one factor,” said Craig Ritchie, professor of the psychiatry of ageing at the University of Edinburgh and director at Brain Health Scotland.
“It’s important for those involved in the game to understand that by prioritising good brain health, it’s possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia and other degenerative brain conditions.
“Rugby players – past and present – can make moves such as maintaining good health and fitness, and tackling stress, anxiety and depression to help reduce certain risk factors, while the sport continues to prioritise reducing the risk of head impacts for players at all levels and stages of the game.”
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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