Understanding the Real Risk of Brain Injury in Contact Sports 

The long-term effects of contact sports on brain health is under increasing scrutiny. In football, repeated heading of the ball has been linked to memory problems and a heightened risk of degenerative brain conditions. These findings have already prompted changes at the grassroots level, with restrictions on heading in youth leagues, and growing pressure to introduce similar safeguards in the professional game.

Christian Yates, a Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Biology at the University of Bath, recently discussed this topic in The Conversation. He has questioned whether the media might be exaggerating the risks. While he agrees that the dangers are real and supported by research, he notes that headlines often miss important details, especially when studies use unrepresentative samples. 

Studies on American football have found a high rate of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former NFL players, which has led to changes in rules and equipment. Yates reported that “Lawyers are representing over 500 former players from both rugby union and rugby league, claiming that repetitive head impacts during their careers caused long-lasting brain damage”.

Media reports sometimes cite alarming statistics such as “99% of NFL players in a study had CTE” without clearly explaining that these figures often come from brain banks, where samples are donated by families already suspecting brain injury. This introduces selection bias and means the results can’t reflect the broader player population reliably. Yates notes this key detail is often lost in translation between scientific research and headline reporting. 

Nonetheless, the link between repeated head trauma and long-term brain injury is growing stronger. Studies comparing former athletes to the general population increasingly suggest the risk is not a coincidence.  

However, to truly understand the scale of that risk, research needs to include more representative samples, and media coverage must communicate findings with greater care. 

Even if some statistics are presented in an exaggerated light, it is still essential not to downplay the potential risk of brain injury. Awareness is vital, especially for those currently involved in contact sports or dealing with the consequences of past participation. 

How can we help? 

As a medico-legal agency working with a network of medical experts across the UK, we are here to support individuals facing the impact of injuries like CTE and long-term acquired brain injuries. We provide clear, timely, and professional medical expert reports, helping our clients navigate complex medical-legal cases with efficiency and care.