Rugby's Hidden Threat: The Urgent Need to Protect Young Athletes' Brains

Strategic Insights -

Concussion awareness seems high in rugby, but beneath the surface lies a crisis: most players, parents, and coaches have little knowledge of brain injury, and governing bodies are failing to act. Recent research reveals that only 4% of respondents understood that sub-concussions, not concussions, drive chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a form of early-onset dementia. The North East, where Red Bull has invested in a partnership with the former Newcastle Falcons, is at the forefront of this issue. To protect young athletes, the region must prioritize brain protection and prevention of CTE.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Rezon survey analysis report, conducted in partnership with the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing and Voice at Newcastle University, reveals a staggering lack of understanding about concussion and brain injury among players, parents, and coaches.
  • Only 4% of respondents knew that sub-concussions are the primary cause of CTE, and just two people recognized that sub-concussions can be symptomless.
  • The study found that parents believe children are less at risk than adults, contrary to neuroscience evidence, and that women face neglect in concussion understanding and mitigation.
  • Female athletes are more susceptible to concussion and take longer to recover, yet protocols remain the same for men and women.
  • Technology, such as Rezon's Halos(r) headband, is available to reduce brain injury risk, but consistent education and messaging are lacking.
  • Sport's reliance on managing brain injury after it happens leaves players and their parents feeling uneducated and unprotected.

Statistics:

  • 96% of respondents failed to accurately identify all symptoms of concussion.
  • 98% of respondents had limited knowledge of the mechanics of how concussions happen.
  • Only 2 people recognized that sub-concussions can be symptomless.
  • 4% of respondents knew that sub-concussions drive CTE.
  • 0% of respondents believed that female athletes are less susceptible to concussion and take longer to recover.

Sources:

  • 2025 Rezon survey analysis report, conducted in partnership with the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing and Voice at Newcastle University.
  • Rezon's website and social media platforms.
  • Press release from Rezon announcing the development of Halos(r), the UK's and Europe's only legally CE-marked headband designed specifically to protect the brain from both concussive and subconcussive impacts.