New Zealand rugby concussion study sparks global researchREUTERS Growing concerns over rugby head injuries have led to New Zealand research being taken to the next level. Ground-breaking New Zealand research into the long-term effects of concussion on retired rugby players is being taken to a global level. The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) study will be part of a Global Rugby Health Research Programme, linking with studies in the UK, Canada and Australia. The New Zealand study, backed by New Zealand Rugby and World Rugby, found that participants from the two rugby groups involved had sustained substantially more concussions than the non-contact sport group - 85 per cent of elite rugby players and 77 per cent of community rugby players reported having had at least one concussion, versus 23 per cent of non-contact sport players. Taking the NZ Rugby Health Project to an international level will address the growing public interest in the long-term health outcomes of playing rugby," Hume said.

Source: Stuff March 07, 2017 18:56 UTC