Concussion in grassroots and school sport to be monitored by UK government


Concussion in grassroots and school sport to be monitored by UK government

The UK government is to conduct a two year programme of research into concussion in grassroots sport, using an app, called SportSmart, to track the symptoms of injury and their treatment.

SportSmart is a digital injury management platform designed by a charitable company set up by former McLaren F1 team owner Ron Dennis. It allows users to record and manage head injuries, suspected concussions and other sports-related injuries.

In April, first ever UK-wide concussion guidance was published to help people identify, manage and prevent concussion affecting players in grassroots sport.

The data from the app trial will help test whether those guidelines - with the mantra 'if in doubt, sit it out' - are effective. The free app already has £165,000 users in the UK.

The NHS and many sports authorities have not routinely collected data on the number of concussions in grassroots sport. Brain injury charity Headway estimates 1.4 million people attend A&E in England and Wales with some type of head injury each year, with 95% of those classed as mild.

Andy Hunt, the chief executive of Podium Analytics, which designed the app, said “Only 2% of UK schools and grassroots sports clubs have a system for recording and managing sport-related concussion. For organisations to successfully implement the new government concussion guidelines, a centralised digital system to record and manage head injury incidences is needed.”

According to the current guidelines, anyone who sustains a concussion should not play contact sport for 21 days and should not return to any form of training for 14 days. Among the signs and symptoms of concussion listed by the guidance include: disorientation, dizziness, mental clouding, visual problems, “pressure in head” and sensitivity to light and sound.

To view the guidelines in full please click here

You may also like

View All

The Rt. Hon. Sir Gary Hickinbottom appointed as the new President of the National Safeguarding Panel

We are delighted to announce the appointment of The Rt. Hon. Sir Gary Hickinbottom as President of the National Safeguarding Panel. A long-standing panel member, Sir Gary brings extensive expertise to support the NSP’s work in complex safeguarding cases across sport

Read More

Macron against wearing hijabs in sport

French president Emmanuel Macron has voiced that he opposes Muslim women wearing hijabs whilst competing in sport, instigating discussions among lawmakers, social leaders and governing bodies

Read More

Job Opportunity | Case Manager - National

Sport Resolutions has an exciting opportunity for an individual to join its passionate and experienced National Case Management Team to assist with the administration of domestic matters including football disciplinary procedures, Olympic and Paralympic disputes, and anti-doping rule violations 

Read More

Newsletter Signup

Please enter your email address below: