Cut contact training, says neurosurgeon

A US neuroscientist and concussion campaigner has urged rugby to follow the NFL by cutting contact training to reduce the risk of head injuries, while also shining the spotlight on tackling at youth level.

Chris Nowinski is a former wwe wrestler turned brain specialist and co-founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

The best place to start, Nowinski said, was not in games but during the week. Since 2011, the NFL has limited contact sessions at training to one per week and the results have been positive.

‘‘Limiting contact in practice is the biggest opportunity players have for a safer sport,’’ Nowinski told the Daily

Mail. ‘‘The NFL has got to the point where 18 per cent of concussions happen in practice – it used to be closer to three-quarters.

‘‘And it has been shown that the teams who cut out contact in practice have not suffered on the field. They’re healthier and develop new ways to tackle efficiently.

‘‘It’s simple maths – you can limit the number of days you get hit in the head.

‘‘With that in mind having 10 or 11-month seasons for players is risky.’’

Nowinski also said tackling in youth rugby should be introduced later to minimise the danger of concussion.

Kids playing in New Zealand can start tackling from under-8s level, while in the UK tackling is introduced a year later.

’’Starting tackling at 12 rather than nine can cut a huge percentage of problems for all players at every level,’’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘‘We would not allow nine-yearolds to lift weights, but we’re fine with them being hit in the head? It’s crazy.’’

‘‘You can limit the number of days you get hit in the head.’’

Chris Nowinski