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Top football continues to explore the use of concussion substitutes
An app that helps identify and treat concussion in grassroots and school sports is set to be the subject of a two-year government-backed trial.
SportSmart is a digital injury management platform developed by a non-profit company founded by former McLaren F1 team owner Ron Dennis.
It allows users to record and manage head injuries, suspected concussions, and other sports-related injuries.
This information can then be immediately shared with all relevant parties.
The app has been well received in initial testing and Sport Minister Stuart Andrew said: “I would encourage organizations to get involved.”
The data from the app test will help test whether these policies – with the mantra “when in doubt, sit back” – are effective.
The NHS and many sporting authorities have not routinely collected data on the number of concussions in grassroots sport.
Brain injury charity Headway estimates that 1.4 million people present to the emergency department with some type of head injury in England and Wales each year, with 95% of these classified as minor.
Andy Hunt, who led Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, said data on concussion in grassroots sport had been limited because it was always considered too difficult to coordinate and compile.
Hunt – now chief executive of Podium Analytics, which developed the app – said: “We want to do this because we want to make sport safer and give kids the opportunity to play sport for the rest of their lives.”
“Hopefully it will lead to great scientific discoveries that will help solve some of these problems that have not yet been solved. Concussions are a massive problem and we need to massively improve our understanding.”
“We want parents, we want coaches, we want volunteers, we want teachers to know what to do and how to deal with the new UK concussion guidelines.”
Andrew said sport is “vital” for physical and mental wellbeing and that it is “vital” to prioritize the safety of everyone involved.
“Technology plays an important role in tracking and measuring the frequency of concussions at the grassroots level,” he added.
What is a concussion?
A concussion — a traumatic brain injury that affects mental function — can change the way someone thinks, feels, and remembers things.
Only about 10% lead to unconsciousness and unconsciousness.
The effects are usually temporary and most people fully recover with rest.
Podium Analytics is funded in part by CVC Capital Partners – the private equity firm that is a major investor in many sports including football, Formula 1, rugby union and tennis.
The free app includes a head injury tool with a traffic light system to automatically notify users of a player’s training or play readiness during and after the new 21-day minimum post-concussion playing time.
Some critics have argued that the interests of “big sport” should be completely divorced from the scientific study of concussions.
“It means that staff are aware and students appreciate the importance of looking after themselves after a concussion and understanding what the injury is,” said Phil Beaumont – Rugby Director at Northampton School for Boys, of the recently crowned England U15 team.
“It used to be a taboo subject, and now they realize they have to persevere in order to gradually recover.
“You can’t see a concussion, so we have to play it safe. It’s crucial to also have the parents watching and clearly labeling the stages so all coaches know what’s next in the process.”
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