SUMMARY - Risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in rugby union is associated with length of playing career

A recent study looked at the brains of former rugby union players to understand the risk of brain diseases, like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is linked to repeated head impacts. The researchers examined brain tissue from 31 former players, most of whom were male and had played rugby for an average of 18 years. They found that about two-thirds of the players had signs of CTE, a condition that can cause memory problems, movement issues, and other brain symptoms. Interestingly, players who had longer careers in rugby were more likely to have CTE, even if they played at the amateur level. This suggests that the risk of CTE increases with more years of exposure to head impacts, not just from playing professionally. The study highlights the importance of protecting athletes from repetitive head injuries and calls for measures to reduce these risks in all levels of contact sports.