Get’cha Head in the Game: Tackling Sports Concussion
Published: 18 April 2018
A team from the Glasgow Brain Injury Research Group (GBIRG) took part in ‘Get’cha Head in the Game: Tackling Sports Concussion’ public engagement event at Edinburgh Science Festival on Saturday 31 March.
A team from the Glasgow Brain Injury Research Group (GBIRG) hosted the ‘Get’cha Head in the Game: Tackling Sports Concussion’ public engagement event at Edinburgh Science Festival on Saturday 31 March.
Over the past decade, sports concussion has become the major issue facing contact sport. Recognition that a degenerative brain disease previously thought exclusive to boxers was also affecting athletes from other sports has led to increasing concern about the immediate and long-term effects of brain injury in sport.
Following an introduction from Dr Josie Fullerton, Dr Willie Stewart presented information about the latest research into sports concussion and CTE, introducing some of the work that has been carried out by MVLS students.
Globally, Scotland stands out as leading efforts in sport, medicine and science in understanding the issues and ensuring safest management across sport, an issue that an expert panel set out to explore in front of an audience of over 50 people.
BBC Scotland’s Jamie Lyall mediated a fascinating discussion between Nuala Deans (British Paralympic association/ex Scotland rugby player), Dr Alan Carson (University of Edinburgh), Dr Geoff Cross (ex Scotland rugby player) and Peter Robinson (concussion campaigner).
Audience participation was encouraged through a number of polls held over the course of the evening – interestingly, 62% of participants voted ‘no’ to the question: Should heading being banned in youth football?
Josie Fullerton tweeted: ‘Loved playing a very small part in such an important event @EdSciFest. Brilliant panel, fantastic discussion and intriguing conversation. So grateful for everyone that was involved.’
First published: 18 April 2018