Rugby Players at Higher Risk of Developing Dementia, Study Reveals

A major new study suggests that former male high-level rugby players in New Zealand have a 22% increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia later in life compared to men in the general population. The study, supported by World Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, found that 65 out of every 1,000 former rugby players died from or were diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease between 1988 and 2023, compared to 52 per 1,000 men in the general population. The research team examined long-term neurodegenerative disease risk among almost 13,000 men who played rugby at provincial-level or higher between 1950 and 2000, and compared them with 2.4 million New Zealand men, matched on age, ethnicity, and birthplace.

Key Takeaways:

Former male high-level rugby players in New Zealand have a 22% increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia later in life compared to men in the general population.
65 out of every 1,000 former rugby players died from or were diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease between 1988 and 2023, compared to 52 per 1,000 men in the general population.
Professional international and provincial amateur players had higher risks than the general population, with the risks greater at the higher playing level.
Players in backline positions had greater risks than forwards, with the risk for backs increasing further the longer they played or the more matches they played.
The increased risk of disease usually became apparent from the age of 70 onwards, with no evidence of earlier-onset illness.
The study found a "dose-response" relationship between the duration and intensity of play and the risk of neurodegenerative disease.
World Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation fully support the study's recommendations to limit player exposure to head impacts and manage suspected concussions proactively.

Statistics:

13,000 men who played rugby at provincial-level or higher between 1950 and 2000 were examined in the study.
2.4 million New Zealand men, matched on age, ethnicity, and birthplace, were used as the comparison group.
22% increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia later in life.
65 out of every 1,000 former rugby players died from or were diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease between 1988 and 2023.
52 per 1,000 men in the general population died from or were diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease between 1988 and 2023.

Sources:

World Rugby
New Zealand Rugby Foundation
Journal of Sports Medicine
Kumanu Tangata project
University of Auckland
New Zealand Rugby