According to new research, suffering three or more concussions is linked to worsening brain function in later life.
Cognitive function becomes significantly worse in people reporting three or more concussions, even mild ones. Attention and completion of complex tasks were also affected, discovered University of Exeter and the University of Oxford.
The researchers have said the data indicates athletes suffering multiple concussions should be counselled about the risk of continuing to play sport.
Published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, the investigation included data from more than 15,000 UK-based participants of the online PROTECT study, aged between 50 and 90.
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They reported the severity and frequency of concussions they had experienced throughout their lives and completed annual, computerised tests for brain function.
Lead investigator Dr Vanessa Raymont from the University of Oxford said: “We know that head injuries are a major risk factor for dementia and this large-scale study gives the greatest detail to date on a stark finding – the more times you injure your brain in life, the worse your brain function could be as you age.
“Our research indicates that people who have experienced three or more even mild episodes of concussion should be counselled on whether to continue high-risk activities.
“We should also encourage organisations operating in areas where head impact is more likely to consider how they can protect their athletes or employees.”
Sport’s efforts to reduce the risk of exposure to brain injuries have been in the spotlight again already this year.
The Rugby Football Union’s handling of plans to lower tackle height in the grassroots game have faced criticism over the last week, while on January 18, football’s lawmakers opted not to permit a trial of temporary concussion substitutes despite facing calls to do so from the world players’ union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Forum.
Dr Susan Kohlhaas, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Studies like this are so important in unravelling the long-term risks of traumatic brain injury, including their effect on dementia risk.
“These findings should send a clear message to policy makers and sporting bodies, who need to put robust guidelines in place that reduce risk of head injury as much as possible.”
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