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Labour’s Chris Bryant leads damning study of approaches to concussion Labour’s Chris Bryant leads damning study of approaches to concussion
(2 months later)
The Labour MP Chris Bryant has accused the British sporting community of “turning a blind eye” to the issue of concussion in sport. Bryant is one of the authors of an extraordinary cross-party report, “Concussion can Kill”, which is published on Monday. It stresses that both the rugby and football authorities “must act” and that the issue of concussion “cannot be swept under the carpet” as it has been in the past. The report, which was drawn up by Bryant, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Conservative MPs John Glen and Chris Heaton-Harris, and Liberal Democrat peer Lord Addington, is designed to be a “wake-up call” to the sporting authorities. It says that “the time for debate is over, we need action”, and urges the establishment of a full parliamentary inquiry into the issues surrounding concussion.The Labour MP Chris Bryant has accused the British sporting community of “turning a blind eye” to the issue of concussion in sport. Bryant is one of the authors of an extraordinary cross-party report, “Concussion can Kill”, which is published on Monday. It stresses that both the rugby and football authorities “must act” and that the issue of concussion “cannot be swept under the carpet” as it has been in the past. The report, which was drawn up by Bryant, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Conservative MPs John Glen and Chris Heaton-Harris, and Liberal Democrat peer Lord Addington, is designed to be a “wake-up call” to the sporting authorities. It says that “the time for debate is over, we need action”, and urges the establishment of a full parliamentary inquiry into the issues surrounding concussion.
The report is especially damning of rugby union’s Pitchside Suspected Concussion Assessment, labelling it “insubstantial”. It also calls for protocols to be introduced covering the issue of headers in football, suggesting “a graduated introduction” of it to protect children. It notes that Jeff Astle, a centre-forward for West Bromwich Albion and England in the 1960s and 70s, died in 2002 from brain injuries related to repeated heading of the ball. “It seems strange to this working group that children are actively encouraged to head heavy footballs at such a young age.”The report is especially damning of rugby union’s Pitchside Suspected Concussion Assessment, labelling it “insubstantial”. It also calls for protocols to be introduced covering the issue of headers in football, suggesting “a graduated introduction” of it to protect children. It notes that Jeff Astle, a centre-forward for West Bromwich Albion and England in the 1960s and 70s, died in 2002 from brain injuries related to repeated heading of the ball. “It seems strange to this working group that children are actively encouraged to head heavy footballs at such a young age.”
The report was prompted by a series of high-profile incidents, most notably the death of the teenage rugby player Ben Robinson during a school match in 2011. It argues that UK sport “cannot afford something on the scale of the $765m concussion lawsuit” unfolding in the United States, as a group of former NFL players seek recompense for long-term brain injuries sustained while playing American Football. The report notes the “political leadership” shown by President Obama, who “recently hosted a summit on the issue and announced a major government study into the effects of concussion on young people.”The report was prompted by a series of high-profile incidents, most notably the death of the teenage rugby player Ben Robinson during a school match in 2011. It argues that UK sport “cannot afford something on the scale of the $765m concussion lawsuit” unfolding in the United States, as a group of former NFL players seek recompense for long-term brain injuries sustained while playing American Football. The report notes the “political leadership” shown by President Obama, who “recently hosted a summit on the issue and announced a major government study into the effects of concussion on young people.”
There are four key recommendations. The first is that a single set of concussion protocols is introduced across all sports. It notes that current protocols are “often confusing, filled with jargon and generally inaccessible to the average parent” and that there is a lack of consistency across all sports. The Football Association is singled out because it “does not have any formal concussion protocols in place”.There are four key recommendations. The first is that a single set of concussion protocols is introduced across all sports. It notes that current protocols are “often confusing, filled with jargon and generally inaccessible to the average parent” and that there is a lack of consistency across all sports. The Football Association is singled out because it “does not have any formal concussion protocols in place”.
The second recommendation is that more independent, peer-reviewed research is conducted into the links between concussion and the disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is what Astle suffered from. It states that “far too often national governing bodies focus only on what is immediately in front of them”. It points out that at the time of Astle’s death the FA “promised his family that they would undertake a 10-year joint study alongside the Professional Footballers’ Association to investigate the link between heading footballs and the risk of brain damage” but that 12 years on no such study has been published. This, the report implies, is tantamount to a “cover-up”. The second recommendation is that more independent, peer-reviewed research is conducted into the links between concussion and the disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is what Astle suffered from. It states that “far too often national governing bodies focus only on what is immediately in front of them”. It points out that at the time of Astle’s death the FA “promised his family that they would undertake a 10-year joint study alongside the Professional Footballers’ Association to investigate the link between heading footballs and the risk of brain damage” but that 12 years on no such study has been published. This, the report implies, is tantamount to a “cover-up”.
Thirdly it identifies “a pressing need for a large-scale and continuous public awareness campaign” with “the clear message that concussion can kill”. It cites the Guardian’s articles on the death of Ben Robinson and quotes Ben’s father, Peter, as saying: “There should have been a chain of health and safety procedures in place, one that included players, coaches, referees and parents. If just one link in that chain had worked as it should have, Ben’s concussion would have been spotted. He would have been removed from the pitch, and he may have survived.” The report states that “there are many misconceptions about concussion” which must be corrected, and quotes the former England rugby captain Lewis Moody as saying that too often the issue has been “treated like a joke”.Thirdly it identifies “a pressing need for a large-scale and continuous public awareness campaign” with “the clear message that concussion can kill”. It cites the Guardian’s articles on the death of Ben Robinson and quotes Ben’s father, Peter, as saying: “There should have been a chain of health and safety procedures in place, one that included players, coaches, referees and parents. If just one link in that chain had worked as it should have, Ben’s concussion would have been spotted. He would have been removed from the pitch, and he may have survived.” The report states that “there are many misconceptions about concussion” which must be corrected, and quotes the former England rugby captain Lewis Moody as saying that too often the issue has been “treated like a joke”.
Finally it calls for more coordination between sports, schools and the NHS. It recommends the introduction of concussion training at amateur and school level, run in conjunction between the national governing bodies, NHS and Department for Education.Finally it calls for more coordination between sports, schools and the NHS. It recommends the introduction of concussion training at amateur and school level, run in conjunction between the national governing bodies, NHS and Department for Education.
“We hope this report will start the ball rolling here,” Bryant said. “We don’t want to wrap children in cotton wool and each of us are passionate supporters of sport and the positive role it has to play in the lives of young people; however, parents, schools and sporting bodies need to recognise when concussion occurs and how to ensure that children are protected.”“We hope this report will start the ball rolling here,” Bryant said. “We don’t want to wrap children in cotton wool and each of us are passionate supporters of sport and the positive role it has to play in the lives of young people; however, parents, schools and sporting bodies need to recognise when concussion occurs and how to ensure that children are protected.”