The NRL is trialling a mobile phone app used in American sports such as the NFL to help identify and manage concussions.
The NSW and Queensland Rugby League junior competitions have began a research project using the app, which assesses balance and reaction time using the accelerometer built into mobile devices. The tool provides data that identifies concussive symptoms and assists in determining when it is appropriate to return to play.
Caution: Roosters star Luke Keary has been rested for the past month since being concussed against the Knights.Credit:NRL Photos
NRL chief medical officer Dr Paul Bloomfield is overseeing the pilot study as part of the governing bodys response to the issue of head knocks.
“Its research we have been involved in,” an NRL spokesperson confirmed. “Well assess the results in due course.”
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The concussion issue is again in the headlines following a landmark Australian study. It found two former rugby league players, each of whom had played more than 150 first-grade games, were found to have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The results have prompted an increase in pledges to the Brain Bank.
The Sway app costs about $11 a player and measures stability when the mobile device is pressed against the chest. A score between zero and 100 is provided to determine postural sway. Players provide baseline results that are compared to those calculated post-concussion.
“The NRL does take a very serious approach to identifying and managing concussion,” said Sway Medicals Ted Brennan. “As part of that they look at all technologies that can assist and Sway can be a part of that.
“The Sway system is used by the NFL, by ice hockey, a lot of sporting organisations in the United States.
“Its a fantastic tool that is registered for medical use thats easy to use. Its a very simple system to use and provides the physician with ongoing diagnosis and a record of symptoms and recovery.
“A lot of what has been happening in many sports is subjective rather than objective. Sway can provide the records and data that can make objective decisions on how the situation is handled.
“Weve spoken to other sports in Australia and there is a lot of interest.”
Parramatta great Eric Grothe is part of Sways executive team in Australia. Grothe had no hesitation in following the lead of premiership-winning teammate Peter Sterling in vowing to donate his brain to science to further concussion research. Several other of his Eels contemporaries, including Brett Kenny, Bob OReilly, Mick Cronin and Neville Glover, have also indicated they will also commit their brains to the Brain Bank after their death for further study.
Grothe said he had noticed several players of his generation struggling with heRead More – Source
The NRL is trialling a mobile phone app used in American sports such as the NFL to help identify and manage concussions.
The NSW and Queensland Rugby League junior competitions have began a research project using the app, which assesses balance and reaction time using the accelerometer built into mobile devices. The tool provides data that identifies concussive symptoms and assists in determining when it is appropriate to return to play.
Caution: Roosters star Luke Keary has been rested for the past month since being concussed against the Knights.Credit:NRL Photos
NRL chief medical officer Dr Paul Bloomfield is overseeing the pilot study as part of the governing bodys response to the issue of head knocks.
“Its research we have been involved in,” an NRL spokesperson confirmed. “Well assess the results in due course.”
Advertisement
The concussion issue is again in the headlines following a landmark Australian study. It found two former rugby league players, each of whom had played more than 150 first-grade games, were found to have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The results have prompted an increase in pledges to the Brain Bank.
The Sway app costs about $11 a player and measures stability when the mobile device is pressed against the chest. A score between zero and 100 is provided to determine postural sway. Players provide baseline results that are compared to those calculated post-concussion.
“The NRL does take a very serious approach to identifying and managing concussion,” said Sway Medicals Ted Brennan. “As part of that they look at all technologies that can assist and Sway can be a part of that.
“The Sway system is used by the NFL, by ice hockey, a lot of sporting organisations in the United States.
“Its a fantastic tool that is registered for medical use thats easy to use. Its a very simple system to use and provides the physician with ongoing diagnosis and a record of symptoms and recovery.
“A lot of what has been happening in many sports is subjective rather than objective. Sway can provide the records and data that can make objective decisions on how the situation is handled.
“Weve spoken to other sports in Australia and there is a lot of interest.”
Parramatta great Eric Grothe is part of Sways executive team in Australia. Grothe had no hesitation in following the lead of premiership-winning teammate Peter Sterling in vowing to donate his brain to science to further concussion research. Several other of his Eels contemporaries, including Brett Kenny, Bob OReilly, Mick Cronin and Neville Glover, have also indicated they will also commit their brains to the Brain Bank after their death for further study.
Grothe said he had noticed several players of his generation struggling with heRead More – Source
